Therapeutic carbamates

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to hindered carbamate derivatives that are muscarinic receptor antagonists, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and methods of preparing these compounds.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/456,170, filed Dec. 7, 1999.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A receptor is a biological structure with one or more binding domains that reversibly complexes with one or more ligands, where that complexation has biological consequences. Receptors can exist entirely outside the cell (extracellular receptors), within the cell membrane (but presenting sections of the receptor to the extracellular milieu and cytosol), or entirely within the cell (intracellular receptors). They may also function independently of a cell (e.g., clot formation). Receptors within the cell membrane allow a cell to communicate with the space outside of its boundaries (i.e., signaling) as well as to function in the transport of molecules and ions into and out of the cell.

[0003] A ligand is a binding partner for a specific receptor or family of receptors. A ligand may be the endogenous ligand for the receptor or alternatively may be a synthetic ligand for the receptor such as a drug, a drug candidate or a pharmacological tool.

[0004] The super family of seven transmembrane proteins (7-TMs), also called G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), represents one of the most significant classes of membrane bound receptors that communicate changes that occur outside of the cell's boundaries to its interior, triggering a cellular response when appropriate. The G-proteins, when activated, affect a wide range of downstream effector systems both positively and negatively (e.g., ion channels, protein kinase cascades, transcription, transmigration of adhesion proteins, and the like).

[0005] Muscarinic receptors are members of the G-protein coupled receptors that are composed of a family of five receptor sub-types (M₁, M₂, M₃, M₄ and M₅) and are activated by the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. These receptors are widely distributed on multiple organs and tissues and are critical to the maintenance of central and peripheral cholinergic neurotransmission. The regional distribution of these receptor subtypes in the brain and other organs has been documented (Bonner, T. I. et al., Science (Washington D.C.) 1987, 237, 527-532; Goyal, R. K., J. Med., 1989, 321, 1022;Hulme, E. C., et al., Annu. Rev. harmacol Toxicol. 1990, 30, 633; and Eglen, R. M. and Hegde, S. S., Drug News Perspect. 1997, 10(8), 462-469). For example, the smooth muscle is composed largely of M₂ and M₃ receptors, cardiac muscle is composed largely of M₂ receptors, and salivary glands are largely composed of M₃ receptors.

[0006] It has been established that the muscarinic receptors are involved in diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, urinary incontinence, rhinitis, spasmodic colitis, chronic cystitis, cognative disorders (e.g. Alzheimer's disease), senile dementia, glaucoma, schizophrenia, gastroesophogeal reflux disease, cardiac arrhythmia, blurred vision, and hyper salivation syndromes (Fisher, A., Invest. Drugs, 1997, 6(10), 1395-1411; Martel, A. M., et al., Drugs Future, 1997, 22(2), 135-137; Graul, A. and Castaner, J., Drugs Future, 1996, 21(11), 1105-1108; and Graul, A., et al., Drugs Future, 1997, 22(7), 733-737).

[0007] A number of compounds having muscarinic receptor antagonistic activities are being used to treat these diseases. For example, oxybutynin is being used for the treatment of urinary urge incontinence and dicyclomine is being used for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. However, these drugs have limited utility as they produce side effects such as dry mouth, blurred vision, and mydriasis.

[0008] There is currently a need for novel muscarinic receptor antagonists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The invention is directed to carbamate derivatives that are muscarinic receptor antagonists and agonists and are useful in the treatment and prevention of diseases mediated by muscarinic receptors (e.g. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis, irritable bowel syndrome, urinary incontinence, and the like).

[0010] Accordingly, the invention provides a compound of the invention which is a compound of Formula (I):

L₁—X—L₂

[0011] wherein:

[0012] L₁ is a group of formula (a):

[0013] wherein:

[0014] A is an aryl or a heteroaryl ring;

[0015] B″ is —O—;

[0016] R^(x) is alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, acyl, acylamino, aminoacyloxy, aryl, carboxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substitutes cycloalkenyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, alkylsulfonyl, or alkylsulfinyl;

[0017] R¹ is hydrogen or alkyl;

[0018] R² is Het, or is selected from a group consisting of formula (i), (ii), and (iii):

[0019] wherein:

[0020] is an optional double bond;

[0021] n, is an integer of from 1 to 4;

[0022] n₂ is an integer of from 1 to 3;

[0023] V is —CH—, —O—, —S(O)n₃— (where n₃ is an integer of from 0 to 2), or —NR⁴(wherein R⁴ is hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl);

[0024] “Het” is a heteroaryl ring which optionally attaches (a) to a linker;

[0025] R³ is hydrogen, alkyl, amino, substituted amino, —OR^(a) (where R^(a) is hydrogen, alkyl, or acyl), or a covalent bond attaching (a) to a linker;

[0026] R⁵ is hydrogen, alkyl, amino, substituted amino, —OR^(b) (where R^(b) is hydrogen or alkyl), aryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, or a covalent bond attaching (a) to a linker;

[0027] R⁶, R⁷, and R⁸ are, independently of each other, hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkyl optionally substituted with one, two or three substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylthio, alkylsulfonyl, amino, substituted amino, or a covalent bond attaching (a) to a linker;

[0028] K is a bond or an alkylene group;

[0029] K″ is a bond, —C(O)—, —S(O)_(n4)— (where n₄ is an integer of from 0 to 2), or an alkylene group optionally substituted with a hydroxyl group; and

[0030] B is heterocycloamino or heteroarylamino, which optionally attaches (a) to a linker;

[0031] provided that at least one of the R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, “Het”, heterocycloamino or heteroarylamino groups attaches (a) to a linker;

[0032] X is a linker; and

[0033] L₂ is an organic group comprising at least one (e.g. 1, 2, 3, or 4) primary, secondary or tertiary amines; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt; or prodrug thereof.

[0034] Preferably, L₂ is a group selected from a group consisting of:

[0035] (i) a group of formula (b):

[0036] wherein:

[0037] D″ is alkylene;

[0038] D is —NR³¹R³², —N+(R³³R³⁵) or —OR³² where R³¹, R³³, and R³⁴ are, independently of each other, hydrogen, alkyl, or aralkyl; and R³² and R³⁵ represent a covalent bond attaching (b) to a linker;

[0039] R²⁷ is hydrogen, halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, alkoxy, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, acyl, thio, alkylthio, alkylsulfonyl, alkylsulfinyl, sulfonamido, alkylsulfonamido, carbamoyl, thiocarbamoyl, mono or dialkylcarbamoyl, amino, mono- or dialkylamino, aryl, aryloxy, arylthio, heteroaryl, heteraryloxy, heteroarylthio, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyloxy, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, or alkyl optionally substituted with one, two or three substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylthio, alkylsulfonyl, amino, or substituted amino;

[0040] R²⁸ is hydrogen, halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, alkoxy, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, acyl, thio, alkylthio, alkylsulfonyl, alkylsulfinyl, sulfonamido, alkylsulfonamido, carbamoyl, thiocarbamoyl, mono or dialkylcarbamoyl, amino, mono- or dialkylamino, or alkyl optionally substituted with one, two, or three substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylthio, alkylsulfonyl, amino, or substituted amino;

[0041] R²⁹ and R³⁰ are, independently of each other, hydrogen, alkyl, haloalkyl, halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkoxycarbonyl, acyl, thio, alkylthio, amino, mono- or dialkylamino; or

[0042] one of R²⁷, R²⁸, R²⁹, or R³⁰ together with the adjacent group forms a methylenedioxy or ethylenedioxy group;

[0043] (ii) a group of formula (c):

[0044] wherein:

[0045] n₁₁ is an integer of from 1 to 7;

[0046] n₁₂ is 0 to 7;

[0047] F is —NR⁴⁰—, —O—, —S—, or —CHR⁴¹— (wherein R⁴⁰ and R⁴¹ are, independently of each other, hydrogen, alkyl, or substituted alkyl);

[0048] F″ is a covalent bond, —OR⁴³, —NR⁴²R⁴³, or —N+R⁴³R⁴⁴R⁴⁵ wherein R⁴² is hydrogen or alkyl, R⁴⁴ and R⁴⁵ are alkyl, and R⁴³ is hydrogen, alkyl, or a covalent bond attaching (c) to a linker;

[0049] R³⁶ is hydrogen, alkyl, halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, alkoxy, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, acyl, thio, alkylthio, alkylsulfonyl, alkylsulfinyl, sulfonamido, alkylsulfonamido, carbamoyl, thiocarbamoyl, mono or dialkylcarbamoyl, amino, mono- or dialkylamino, aryl, aryloxy, arylthio, heteroaryl, heteraryloxy, heteroarylthio, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyloxy, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, or alkyl optionally substituted with one, two or three substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylthio, alkylsulfonyl, amino, or substituted amino;

[0050] R³⁷ is hydrogen, alkyl, halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkoxycarbonyl, acyl, thio, alkylthio, amino, mono- or dialkylamino, aryl, aryloxy, arylthio, heteroaryl, heteraryloxy, heteroarylthio, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyloxy, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, or alkyl optionally substituted with one, two or three substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylthio, alkylsulfonyl, amino, or substituted amino; and

[0051] R³⁸ is hydrogen, alkyl, halo, hydroxy, alkoxy, or a covalent bond attaching the ligand to a linker provided that at least one of R³⁸ and R⁴³ attaches (c) to a linker;

[0052] R³⁹ is hydrogen, alkyl, halo, hydroxy, alkoxy, or substituted alkyl; and

[0053] (iii) a group of formula (d) or (e):

[0054] wherein:

[0055] R⁴⁶ is alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, or heterocycle;

[0056] R⁴⁷ is alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, acyl, heterocycle, or —COOR⁵⁰ where R⁵⁰ is alkyl; or

[0057] R⁴⁶ and R⁴⁷ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form heterocycle, which heterocycle, in addition to optionally bearing the optional substituents defined hereinbelow for a heterocycle, can also optionally be substituted with one or more (e.g. 1, 2, 3, or 4) alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, or substituted alkynyl.

[0058] R⁴⁸ is a covalent bond that attaches the (d) to a linker; and

[0059] R⁴⁹ is alkyl;

[0060] Preferably X is a group of formula:

—X^(a)—Z—(Y^(a)—Z)_(m)—Y^(b)—Z—X^(a)—

[0061] wherein

[0062] m is an integer of from 0 to 20;

[0063] X^(a) at each separate occurrence is selected from the group consisting of —O—, —S—, —NR—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —C(O)NR—, —C(S)—, —C(S)O—, —C(S)NR— or a covalent bond where R is as defined below;

[0064] Z at each separate occurrence is selected from the group consisting of alkylene, substituted alkylene, cycloalkylene, substituted cylcoalkylene, alkenylene, substituted alkenylene, alkynylene, substituted alkynylene, cycloalken ylene, substituted cycloalkenylene, arylene, heteroarylene, heterocyclene, or a covalent bond;

[0065] Y^(a) and Y^(b) at each separate occurrence are selected from the group consisting of —O—, —C(O)—, —OC(O)—, —C(O)O—, —NR—, —S(O)_(n)—, —C(O)NR′—, —NR′C(O)—, —NR′C(O)NR′—, —NR′C(S)NR′—, —C(═NR′)—NR′—, —NR′—C(═NR′)—, —OC(O)—NR′—, —NR′—C(O)—O—, —N═C(R″)—NR′—, —NR′—C(R″)═N—, —P(O)(OR′)—O—, —O—P(O)(OR′)—, —S(O)_(n)CR′R″—, —S(O)_(n)—NR′—, —NR′—S(O)_(n)—, —S—S—, and a covalent bond; where n is 0, 1 or 2; and R, R′ and R″ at each separate occurrence are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl and heterocyclic (preferably, at least one of X^(a), Y^(a), Y^(b) or Z is not a covalent bond).

[0066] The invention also provides a compound of the invention which is a compound of formula (IV):

[0067] wherein L₂ is an organic group comprising at least one (e.g. 1, 2, 3, or 4) primary, secondary or tertiary amine; and wherein R², K″, A, K, R¹, R^(X), and X have any of the values defined herein; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt; or prodrug thereof. A preferred compound of the invention which is a compound of formula (IV) is a compound of formula (IVa):

[0068] The invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a compound of the invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof.

[0069] The invention also provides synthetic intermediates disclosed herein, as well as synthetic methods useful for preparing such intermediates, and synthetic methods useful for preparing compounds of the invention or salts thereof.

[0070] The invention also provides a method of treating diseases mediated by a muscarinic receptor in a mammal, comprising administering to said mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof.

[0071] The invention also provides a compound of the invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof for use in medical therapy, as well as the use of a compound of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of a disease mediated by a muscarinic receptor in a mammal.

[0072] Applicant has discovered that hindered carbamate compounds of the present invention i.e., compounds having a tetra-substituted atom bonded to the carbamate oxygen, are metabolically more stable than compounds lacking such a tetra-substituted atom. Accordingly, compounds of the present invention have longer metabolic half-lives and/or longer duration of action in vivo, which can reduce the dose required for administration or can reduce the likelihood of the generation of unwanted metabolites.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0073] The following terms have the following meanings unless otherwise indicated. Any undefined terms have their art recognized meanings.

[0074] The term “alkyl” refers to a monoradical branched or unbranched saturated hydrocarbon chain preferably having from 1 to 40 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and even more preferably 1 to 6 carbon atoms. This term is exemplified by groups such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, n-hexyl, n-decyl, tetradecyl, and the like.

[0075] The term “substituted alkyl” refers to an alkyl group as defined above wherein one or more carbon atoms in the alkyl chain have been optionally replaced with a heteroatom such as —O—, —S(O)_(n)— (where n is 0 to 2), —NR— (where R is hydrogen or alkyl) and having from 1 to 5 substituents selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, aminoacyl, aminoacyloxy, oxyaminoacyl, azido, cyano, halogen, hydroxyl, keto, thioketo, carboxyl, carboxylalkyl, thioaryloxy, thioheteroaryloxy, thioheterocyclooxy, thiol, thioalkoxy, substituted thioalkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, heteroaryloxy, heterocyclic, heterocyclooxy, hydroxyamino, alkoxyamino, nitro, —SO-alkyl, —SO-aryl, —SO-heteroaryl, —SO₂-alkyl, —SO₂-aryl, —SO₂-heteroaryl, and —NR^(a)R^(b), wherein R^(a) and R^(b) may be the same or different and are chosen from hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl and heterocyclic. This term is exemplified by groups such as hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl, 2-aminoethyl, 3-aminopropyl, 2-methylaminoethyl, 3-dimethylaminopropyl, 2-sulfonamidoethyl, 2-carboxyethyl, and the like.

[0076] The term “alkylene” refers to a diradical of a branched or unbranched saturated hydrocarbon chain, preferably having from 1 to 40 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 10 carbon atoms and even more preferably 1 to 6 carbon atoms. This term is exemplified by groups such as methylene (—CH₂—), ethylene (—CH₂CH₂—), the propylene isomers (e.g., —CH₂CH₂CH₂— and —CH(CH₃)CH₂—) and the like.

[0077] The term “substituted alkylene” refers to an alkylene group, as defined above, having from 1 to 5 substituents, and preferably 1 to 3 substituents, selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, substituted amino, aminoacyl, aminoacyloxy, oxyaminoacyl, azido, cyano, halogen, hydroxyl, keto, thioketo, carboxyl, carboxylalkyl, thioaryloxy, thioheteroaryloxy, thioheterocyclooxy, thiol, thioalkoxy, substituted thioalkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, heteroaryloxy, heterocyclic, heterocyclooxy, hydroxyamino, alkoxyamino, nitro, —SO-alkyl, —SO-substituted alkyl, —SO-aryl, —SO-heteroaryl, —SO₂-alkyl, —SO₂-substituted alkyl, —SO₂-aryl and —SO₂-heteroaryl. Additionally, such substituted alkylene groups include those where 2 substituents on the alkylene group are fused to form one or more cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, aryl, heterocyclic or heteroaryl groups fused to the alkylene group. Preferably such fused groups contain from 1 to 3 fused ring structures.

[0078] The term “alkylaminoalkyl”, “alkylaminoalkenyl” and “alkylaminoalkynyl” refers to the groups R^(a)NHR^(b)— where R^(a) is alkyl group as defined above and R^(b) is alkylene, alkenylene or alkynylene group as defined above. Such groups are exemplified by 3-methylaminobutyl, 4-ethylamino-1,1-dimethylbutyn-1-yl, 4-ethylaminobutyn-1-yl, and the like.

[0079] The term “alkaryl” or “aralkyl” refers to the groups -alkylene-aryl and -substituted alkylene-aryl where alkylene, substituted alkylene and aryl are defined herein. Such alkaryl groups are exemplified by benzyl, phenethyl and the like.

[0080] The term “alkoxy” refers to the groups alkyl-O—, alkenyl-O—, cycloalkyl-O—, cycloalkenyl-O—, and alkynyl-O—, where alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, and alkynyl are as defined herein. Preferred alkoxy groups are alkyl-O— and include, by way of example, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, iso-propoxy, n-butoxy, -tert-butoxy, sec-butoxy, n-pentoxy, n-hexoxy, 1,2-dimethylbutoxy, and the like.

[0081] The term “substituted alkoxy” refers to the groups substituted alkyl-O—, substituted alkenyl-O—, substituted cycloalkyl-O—, substituted cycloalkenyl-O—, and substituted alkynyl-O— where substituted alkyl, substituted alkenyl, substituted cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkenyl and substituted alkynyl are as defined herein.

[0082] The term “haloalkoxy” refers to the groups alkyl-O— wherein one or more hydrogen atoms on the alkyl group have been substituted with a halo group and include, by way of examples, groups such as trifluoromethoxy, and the like.

[0083] The term “alkylalkoxy” refers to the groups -alkylene-O-alkyl, alkylene-O-substituted alkyl, substituted alkylene-O-alkyl, and substituted alkylene-0-substituted alkyl wherein alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkylene and substituted alkylene are as defined herein. Preferred alkylalkoxy groups are alkylene-O-alkyl and include, by way of example, methylenemethoxy (—CH₂OCH₃), ethylenemethoxy (—CH₂CH₂OCH₃), n-propylene-iso-propoxy (—CH₂CH₂CH₂OCH(CH₃)₂), methylene-t-butoxy (—CH₂—O—C(CH₃)₃), and the like.

[0084] The term “alkylthioalkoxy” refers to the group -alkylene-S-alkyl, alkylene-S-substituted alkyl, substituted alkylene-S-alkyl and substituted alkylene-S-substituted alkyl wherein alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkylene and substituted alkylene are as defined herein. Preferred alkylthioalkoxy groups are alkylene-S-alkyl and include, by way of example, methylenethiomethoxy (—CH₂SCH₃), ethylenethiomethoxy (—CH₂CH₂SCH₃), n-propylene-iso-thiopropoxy (—CH₂CH₂CH₂SCH(CH₃)₂), methylene-t-thiobutoxy (—CH₂SC(CH₃)₃), and the like.

[0085] The term “alkenyl” refers to a monoradical of a branched or unbranched unsaturated hydrocarbon group preferably having from 2 to 40 carbon atoms, more preferably 2 to 10 carbon atoms and even more preferably 2 to 6 carbon atoms and having at least 1 and preferably from 1-6 sites of vinyl unsaturation. Preferred alkenyl groups include ethenyl (—CH═CH₂), n-propenyl (—CH₂CH═CH₂), iso-propenyl (—C(CH₃)═CH₂), and the like.

[0086] The term “substituted alkenyl” refers to an alkenyl group as defined above having from 1 to 5 substituents, and preferably 1 to 3 substituents, selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, substituted amino, aminoacyl, aminoacyloxy, oxyaminoacyl, azido, cyano, halogen, hydroxyl, keto, thioketo, carboxyl, carboxylalkyl, thioaryloxy, thioheteroaryloxy, thioheterocyclooxy, thiol, thioalkoxy, substituted thioalkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, heteroaryloxy, heterocyclic, heterocyclooxy, hydroxyamino, alkoxyamino, nitro, —SO-alkyl, —SO-substituted alkyl, —SO-aryl, —SO-heteroaryl, —SO₂-alkyl, —SO₂-substituted alkyl, —SO₂-aryl and —SO₂-heteroaryl.

[0087] The term “alkenylene” refers to a diradical of a branched or unbranched unsaturated hydrocarbon group preferably having from 2 to 40 carbon atoms, more preferably 2 to 10 carbon atoms and even more preferably 2 to 6 carbon atoms and having at least 1 and preferably from 1-6 sites of vinyl unsaturation. This term is exemplified by groups such as ethenylene (—CH═CH—), the propenylene isomers (e.g., —CH₂CH═CH— or —C(CH₃)═CH—), and the like.

[0088] The term “substituted alkenylene” refers to an alkenylene group as defined above having from 1 to 5 substituents, and preferably from 1 to 3 substituents, selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, substituted amino, aminoacyl, aminoacyloxy, oxyaminoacyl, azido, cyano, halogen, hydroxyl, keto, thioketo, carboxyl, carboxylalkyl, thioaryloxy, thioheteroaryloxy, thioheterocyclooxy, thiol, thioalkoxy, substituted thioalkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, heteroaryloxy, heterocyclic, heterocyclooxy, hydroxyamino, alkoxyamino, nitro, —SO-alkyl, —SO-substituted alkyl, —SO-aryl, —SO-heteroaryl, —SO₂-alkyl, —SO₂-substituted alkyl, —SO₂-aryl and —SO₂-heteroaryl. Additionally, such substituted alkenylene groups include those where 2 substituents on the alkenylene group are fused to form one or more cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, aryl, heterocyclic or heteroaryl groups fused to the alkenylene group.

[0089] The term “alkynyl” refers to a monoradical of an unsaturated hydrocarbon preferably having from 2 to 40 carbon atoms, more preferably 2 to 20 carbon atoms and even more preferably 2 to 6 carbon atoms and having at least 1 and preferably from 1-6 sites of acetylene (triple bond) unsaturation. Preferred alkynyl groups include ethynyl (—C≡CH), propargyl (—CH₂C≡—CH), and the like.

[0090] The term “substituted alkynyl” refers to an alkynyl group as defined above having from 1 to 5 substituents, and preferably 1 to 3 substituents, selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, substituted amino, aminoacyl, aminoacyloxy, oxyaminoacyl, azido, cyano, halogen, hydroxyl, keto, thioketo, carboxyl, carboxylalkyl, thioaryloxy, thioheteroaryloxy, thioheterocyclooxy, thiol, thioalkoxy, substituted thioalkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, heteroaryloxy, heterocyclic, heterocyclooxy, hydroxyamino, alkoxyamino, nitro, —SO-alkyl, —SO-substituted alkyl, —SO-aryl, —SO-heteroaryl, —SO₂-alkyl, —SO₂-substituted alkyl, —SO₂-aryl, and —SO₂-heteroaryl.

[0091] The term “alkynylene” refers to a diradical of an unsaturated hydrocarbon preferably having from 2 to 40 carbon atoms, more preferably 2 to 10 carbon atoms and even more preferably 2 to 6 carbon atoms and having at least 1 and preferably from 1-6 sites of acetylene (triple bond) unsaturation. Preferred alkynylene groups include ethynylene (—C≡C—), propargylene (—CH₂C≡C—), and the like.

[0092] The term “substituted alkynylene” refers to an alkynylene group as defined above having from 1 to 5 substituents, and preferably 1 to 3 substituents, selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, substituted amino, aminoacyl, aminoacyloxy, oxyaminoacyl, azido, cyano, halogen, hydroxyl, keto, thioketo, carboxyl, carboxylalkyl, thioaryloxy, thioheteroaryloxy, thioheterocyclooxy, thiol, thioalkoxy, substituted thioalkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, heteroaryloxy, heterocyclic, heterocyclooxy, hydroxyamino, alkoxyamino, nitro, —SO-alkyl, —SO-substituted alkyl, —SO-aryl, —SO-heteroaryl, —SO₂-alkyl, —SO₂-substituted alkyl, —SO₂-aryl and —SO₂-heteroaryl.

[0093] The term “acyl” refers to the groups HC(O)—, alkyl-C(O)—, substituted alkyl-C(O)—, cycloalkyl-C(O)—, substituted cycloalkyl-C(O)—, cycloalkenyl—C(O)—, substituted cycloalkenyl—C(O)—, aryl—C(O)—, heteroaryl—C(O)- and heterocyclic-C(O)— where alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, aryl, heteroaryl, and heterocyclic are as defined herein.

[0094] The term “acylamino” or “aminocarbonyl” refers to the group —C(O)NRR where each R is independently hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclic or where both R groups are joined to form a heterocyclic group (e.g., morpholino) wherein alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, and heterocyclic are as defined herein.

[0095] The term “aminoacyl” refers to the group —NRC(O)R where each R is independently hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, or heterocyclic wherein alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, and heterocyclic are as defined herein.

[0096] The term “aminoacyloxy” or “alkoxycarbonylamino” refers to the group —NRC(O)OR where each R is independently hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, or heterocyclic wherein alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, and heterocyclic are as defined herein.

[0097] The term “acyloxy” refers to the groups alkyl-C(O)O—, substituted alkyl-C(O)O—, cycloalkyl-C(O)O—, substituted cycloalkyl-C(O)O—, aryl—C(O)O—, heteroaryl—C(O)O—, and heterocyclic—C(O)O— wherein alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, and heterocyclic are as defined herein.

[0098] The term “aryl” refers to an unsaturated aromatic carbocyclic group of from 6 to 20 carbon atoms having a single ring (e.g., phenyl) or multiple condensed (fused) rings (e.g., naphthyl or anthryl). Preferred aryls include phenyl, naphthyl and the like. Unless otherwise constrained by the definition for the aryl substituent, such aryl groups can optionally be substituted with from 1 to 5 substituents, preferably 1 to 3 substituents, selected from the group consisting of acyloxy, hydroxy, thiol, acyl, alkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted alkyl, substituted alkoxy, substituted alkenyl, substituted alkynyl, substituted cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, amino, substituted amino, aminoacyl, acylamino, alkaryl, aryl, aryloxy, azido, carboxyl, carboxylalkyl, cyano, halo, nitro, heteroaryl, heteroaryloxy, heterocyclic, heterocyclooxy, aminoacyloxy, oxyacylamino, thioalkoxy, substituted thioalkoxy, thioaryloxy, thioheteroaryloxy, —SO-alkyl, —SO-substituted alkyl, —SO-aryl, —SO-heteroaryl, —SO₂-alkyl, —SO₂-substituted alkyl, —SO₂-aryl, —SO₂-heteroaryl and trihalomethyl. Preferred aryl substituents include alkyl, alkoxy, halo, cyano, nitro, trihalomethyl, and thioalkoxy.

[0099] The term “aryloxy” refers to the group aryl-O— wherein the aryl group is as defined above including optionally substituted aryl groups as also defined above.

[0100] The term “arylene” refers to the diradical derived from aryl (including substituted aryl) as defined above and is exemplified by 1,2-phenylene, 1,3-phenylene, 1,4-phenylene, 1,2-naphthylene and the like.

[0101] The term “amino” refers to the group —NH₂.

[0102] The term “substituted amino” refers to the group —NRR where each R is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, and heterocyclic provided that both R's are not hydrogen.

[0103] The term “carboxyalkyl” or “alkoxycarbonyl” refers to the groups “—C(O)O-alkyl”, “—C(O)O-substituted alkyl”, “—C(O)O-cycloalkyl”, “—C(O)O-substituted cycloalkyl”, “—C(O)O-alkenyl”, “—C(O)O-substituted alkenyl”, “—C(O)O-alkynyl” and “—C(O)O-substituted alkynyl” where alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl and substituted alkynyl alkynyl are as defined herein.

[0104] The term “cycloalkyl” refers to cyclic alkyl groups of from 3 to 20 carbon atoms having a single cyclic ring or multiple condensed rings. Such cycloalkyl groups include, by way of example, single ring structures such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclooctyl, and the like, or multiple ring structures such as adamantanyl, and the like.

[0105] The term “substituted cycloalkyl” refers to cycloalkyl groups having from 1 to 5 substituents, and preferably 1 to 3 substituents, selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, substituted amino, aminoacyl, aminoacyloxy, oxyaminoacyl, azido, cyano, halogen, hydroxyl, keto, thioketo, carboxyl, carboxylalkyl, thioaryloxy, thioheteroaryloxy, thioheterocyclooxy, thiol, thioalkoxy, substituted thioalkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, heteroaryloxy, heterocyclic, heterocyclooxy, hydroxyamino, alkoxyamino, nitro, —SO-alkyl, —SO-substituted alkyl, —SO-aryl, —SO-heteroaryl, —SO₂-alkyl, —SO₂-substituted alkyl, —SO₂-aryl and —SO₂-heteroaryl.

[0106] The term “cycloalkenyl” refers to cyclic alkenyl groups of from 4 to 20 carbon atoms having a single cyclic ring and at least one point of internal unsaturation. Examples of suitable cycloalkenyl groups include, for instance, cyclobut-2-enyl, cyclopent-3-enyl, cyclooct-3-enyl, and the like.

[0107] The term “substituted cycloalkenyl” refers to cycloalkenyl groups having from 1 to 5 substituents, and preferably 1 to 3 substituents, selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, substituted amino, aminoacyl, aminoacyloxy, oxyaminoacyl, azido, cyano, halogen, hydroxyl, keto, thioketo, carboxyl, carboxylalkyl, thioaryloxy, thioheteroaryloxy, thioheterocyclooxy, thiol, thioalkoxy, substituted thioalkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, heteroaryloxy, heterocyclic, heterocyclooxy, hydroxyamino, alkoxyamino, nitro, —SO-alkyl, —SO-substituted alkyl, —SO-aryl, —SO-heteroaryl, —SO₂-alkyl, —SO₂-substituted alkyl, —SO₂-aryl and —SO₂-heteroaryl.

[0108] The term “halo” or “halogen” refers to fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo.

[0109] The term “heteroaryl” refers to an aromatic group of from 1 to 15 carbon atoms and 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur within at least one ring (if there is more than one ring). Unless otherwise constrained by the definition for the heteroaryl substituent, such heteroaryl groups can be optionally substituted with 1 to 5 substituents, preferably 1 to 3 substituents, selected from the group consisting of acyloxy, hydroxy, thiol, acyl, alkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted alkyl, substituted alkoxy, substituted alkenyl, substituted alkynyl, substituted cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, amino, substituted amino, aminoacyl, acylamino, alkaryl, aryl, aryloxy, azido, carboxyl, carboxylalkyl, cyano, halo, nitro, heteroaryl, heteroaryloxy, heterocyclic, heterocyclooxy, aminoacyloxy, oxyacylamino, thioalkoxy, substituted thioalkoxy, thioaryloxy, thioheteroaryloxy, —SO-alkyl, —SO-substituted alkyl, —SO-aryl, —SO-heteroaryl, —SO₂-alkyl, —SO₂-substituted alkyl, —SO₂-aryl, —SO₂-heteroaryl and trihalomethyl. Preferred aryl substituents include alkyl, alkoxy, halo, cyano, nitro, trihalomethyl, and thioalkoxy. Such heteroaryl groups can have a single ring (e.g., pyridyl or furyl) or multiple condensed rings (e.g., indolizinyl or benzothienyl). Preferred heteroaryls include pyridyl, pyrrolyl and furyl.

[0110] The term “heteroaralkyl” refers to the groups -alkylene-heteroaryl where alkylene and heteroaryl are defined herein. Such heteroaralkyl groups are exemplified by pyridylmethyl, pyridylethyl, indolylmethyl, and the like.

[0111] The term “heteroaryloxy” refers to the group heteroaryl-O—.

[0112] The term “heteroarylene” refers to the diradical group derived from heteroaryl (including substituted heteroaryl), as defined above, and is exemplified by the groups 2,6-pyridylene, 2,4-pyridiylene, 1,2-quinolinylene, 1,8-quinolinylene, 1,4-benzofuranylene, 2,5-pyridnylene, 2,5-indolenyl, and the like.

[0113] The term “heterocycle” or “heterocyclic” or refers to a monoradical saturated unsaturated group having a single ring or multiple condensed rings, from 1 to 40 carbon atoms and from 1 to 10 hetero atoms, preferably 1 to 4 heteroatoms, selected from nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, and/or oxygen within the ring. Unless otherwise constrained by the definition for the heterocyclic substituent, such heterocyclic groups can be optionally substituted with 1 to 5, and preferably 1 to 3 substituents, selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, substituted amino, aminoacyl, aminoacyloxy, oxyaminoacyl, azido, cyano, halogen, hydroxyl, keto, thioketo, carboxyl, carboxylalkyl, thioaryloxy, thioheteroaryloxy, thioheterocyclooxy, thiol, thioalkoxy, substituted thioalkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, heteroaryloxy, heterocyclic, heterocyclooxy, hydroxyamino, alkoxyamino, nitro, —SO-alkyl, —SO-substituted alkyl, —SO-aryl, —SO-heteroaryl, —SO₂-alkyl, —SO₂-substituted alkyl, —SO₂-aryl and —SO₂-heteroaryl. Such heterocyclic groups can have a single ring or multiple condensed rings. Preferred heterocyclics include morpholino, piperidinyl, and the like.

[0114] Examples of nitrogen heteroaryls and heterocycles include, but are not limited to, pyrrole, thiophene, furan, imidazole, pyrazole, pyridine, pyrazine, pyrimidine, pyridazine, indolizine, isoindole, indole, indazole, purine, quinolizine, isoquinoline, quinoline, phthalazine, naphthylpyridine, quinoxaline, quinazoline, cinnoline, pteridine, carbazole, carboline, phenanthridine, acridine, phenanthroline, isothiazole, phenazine, isoxazole, phenoxazine, phenothiazine, imidazolidine, imidazoline, pyrrolidine, piperidine, piperazine, indoline, morpholine, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydrothiophene, and the like as well as N-alkoxy-nitrogen containing heterocycles.

[0115] The term “heterocyclooxy” refers to the group heterocyclic-O—.

[0116] The term “heterocyclooxy” refers to the group heterocyclic-S—.

[0117] The term “heterocyclene” refers to the diradical group formed from a heterocycle, as defined herein, and is exemplified by the groups 2,6-morpholino, 2,5-morpholino and the like.

[0118] “Heteroarylamino” means a 5 membered aromatic ring wherein one or two ring atoms are N, the remaining ring atoms being C. The heterocycloamino ring may be fused to a cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl ring, and it may be optionally substituted with one or more substituents, preferably one or two substituents, selected from alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, halo, cyano, acyl, amino, substituted amino, acylamino, —OR (where R is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, acyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, or heteroaralkyl), or —S(O)nR [where n is an integer from 0 to 2 and R is hydrogen (provided that n is 0), alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, amino, heterocyclo, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, or heteroaralkyl]. More specifically the term heterocycloamino includes, but is not limited to, imidazole, pyrazole, benzimidazole and benzpyrazole.

[0119] “Heterocycloamino” means a saturated monovalent cyclic group of 4 to 8 ring atoms, wherein at least one ring atom is N and optionally contains one or two additional ring heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of N, O, or S(O)_(n) (where n is an integer from 0 to 2), the remaining ring atoms being C, where one or two C atoms may optionally be replaced by a carbonyl group. The heterocycloamino ring may be fused to a cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl ring, and it may be optionally substituted with one or more substituents, preferably one or two substituents, selected from alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, halo, cyano, acyl, amino, substituted amino, acylamino, —OR (where R is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, acyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, or heteroaralkyl), or —S(O)nR [where n is an integer from 0 to 2 and R is hydrogen (provided that n is 0), alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, amino, heterocyclo, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, or heteroaralkyl]. More specifically the term heterocycloamino includes, but is not limited to, pyrrolidino, piperidino, morpholino, piperazino, indolino, or thiomorpholino. The term heterocycloamino also includes, quinuclidine, 1-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl, 1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octyl and the derivatives thereof.

[0120] The term “oxyacylamino” or “aminocarbonyloxy” refers to the group —OC(O)NRR where each R is independently hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, or heterocyclic wherein alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl and heterocyclic are as defined herein.

[0121] The term “spiro-attached cycloalkyl group” refers to a cycloalkyl group attached to another ring via one carbon atom common to both rings.

[0122] The term “thiol” refers to the group —SH.

[0123] The term “thioalkoxy” or “alkylthio” refers to the group —S-alkyl.

[0124] The term “substituted thioalkoxy” refers to the group —S-substituted alkyl.

[0125] The term “thioaryloxy” refers to the group aryl-S— wherein the aryl group is as defined above including optionally substituted aryl groups also defined above.

[0126] The term “thioheteroaryloxy” refers to the group heteroaryl-S— wherein the heteroaryl group is as defined above including optionally substituted aryl groups as also defined above.

[0127] As to any of the above groups which contain one or more substituents, it is understood, of course, that such groups do not contain any substitution or substitution patterns which are sterically impractical and/or synthetically non-feasible. In addition, the compounds of this invention include all stereochemical isomers arising from the substitution of these compounds.

[0128] Unless specified otherwise, all ranges referred to herein include the stated end-point values.

[0129] The term “pharmaceutically-acceptable salt” refers to salts which retain biological effectiveness and are not biologically or otherwise undesirable. In many cases, the compounds of this invention are capable of forming acid and/or base salts by virtue of the presence of amino and/or carboxyl groups or groups similar thereto.

[0130] Pharmaceutically-acceptable base addition salts can be prepared from inorganic and organic bases. Salts derived from inorganic bases, include by way of example only, sodium, potassium, lithium, ammonium, calcium and magnesium salts. Salts derived from organic bases include, but are not limited to, salts of primary, secondary and tertiary amines, such as alkyl amines, dialkyl amines, trialkyl amines, substituted alkyl amines, di(substituted alkyl) amines, tri(substituted alkyl) amines, alkenyl amines, dialkenyl amines, trialkenyl amines, substituted alkenyl amines, di(substituted alkenyl) amines, tri(substituted alkenyl) amines, cycloalkyl amines, di(cycloalkyl) amines, tri(cycloalkyl) amines, substituted cycloalkyl amines, disubstituted cycloalkyl amine, trisubstituted cycloalkyl amines, cycloalkenyl amines, di(cycloalkenyl) amines, tri(cycloalkenyl) amines, substituted cycloalkenyl amines, disubstituted cycloalkenyl amine, trisubstituted cycloalkenyl amines, aryl amines, diaryl amines, triaryl amines, heteroaryl amines, diheteroaryl amines, triheteroaryl amines, heterocyclic amines, diheterocyclic amines, triheterocyclic amines, mixed di- and tri-amines where at least two of the substituents on the amine are different and are selected from the group consisting of alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclic, and the like. Also included are amines where the two or three substituents, together with the amino nitrogen, form a heterocyclic or heteroaryl group. Examples of suitable amines include, by way of example only, isopropylamine, trimethyl amine, diethyl amine, tri(iso-propyl) amine, tri(n-propyl) amine, ethanolamine, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, tromethamine, lysine, arginine, histidine, caffeine, procaine, hydrabamine, choline, betaine, ethylenediamine, glucosamine, N-alkylglucamines, theobromine, purines, piperazine, piperidine, morpholine, N-ethylpiperidine, and the like. It should also be understood that other carboxylic acid derivatives would be useful in the practice of this invention, for example, carboxylic acid amides, including carboxamides, lower alkyl carboxamides, dialkyl carboxamides, and the like.

[0131] Pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts may be prepared from inorganic and organic acids. Salts derived from inorganic acids include hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, and the like. Salts derived from organic acids include acetic acid, propionic acid, glycolic acid, pyruvic acid, oxalic acid, malic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, mandelic acid, methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, p-toluene-sulfonic acid, salicylic acid, and the like.

[0132] The term “pharmaceutically-acceptable cation” refers to the cation of a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt.

[0133] The term “protecting group” or “blocking group” refers to any group which when bound to one or more hydroxyl, thiol, amino or carboxyl groups of the compounds (including intermediates thereof) prevents reactions from occurring at these groups and which protecting group can be removed by conventional chemical or enzymatic steps to reestablish the hydroxyl, thiol, amino or carboxyl group. The particular removable blocking group employed is not critical and preferred removable hydroxyl blocking groups include conventional substituents such as allyl, benzyl, acetyl, chloroacetyl, thiobenzyl, benzylidine, phenacyl, t-butyl-diphenylsilyl and any other group that can be introduced chemically onto a hydroxyl functionality and later selectively removed either by chemical or enzymatic methods in mild conditions compatible with the nature of the product. Preferred removable thiol blocking groups include disulfide groups, acyl groups, benzyl groups, and the like. Preferred removable amino blocking groups include conventional substituents such as t-butyoxycarbonyl (t-BOC), benzyloxycarbonyl (CBZ), fluorenylmethoxy-carbonyl (FMOC), allyloxycarbonyl (ALOC), and the like which can be removed by conventional conditions compatible with the nature of the product. Preferred carboxyl protecting groups include esters such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, t-butyl etc. which can be removed by mild conditions compatible with the nature of the product.

[0134] The term “optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event, circumstance or substituent may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.

[0135] The term “inert organic solvent” or “inert organic solvent” means a solvent which is inert under the conditions of the reaction being described in conjunction therewith including, by way of example only, benzene, toluene, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide, chloroform, methylene chloride, diethyl ether, ethyl acetate, acetone, methylethyl ketone, methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, t-butanol, dioxane, pyridine, and the like. Unless specified to the contrary, the solvents used in the reactions described herein are inert solvents.

[0136] The term “treatment” refers to any treatment of a pathologic condition in a mammal, particularly a human, and includes:

[0137] (i) preventing the pathologic condition from occurring in a subject which may be predisposed to the condition but has not yet been diagnosed with the condition and, accordingly, the treatment constitutes prophylactic treatment for the disease condition;

[0138] (ii) inhibiting the pathologic condition, i.e., arresting its development;

[0139] (iii) relieving the pathologic condition, i.e., causing regression of the pathologic condition; or

[0140] (iv) relieving the conditions mediated by the pathologic condition.

[0141] The term “pathologic condition which is modulated by treatment with a ligand” covers all disease states (i.e., pathologic conditions) which are generally acknowledged in the art to be usefully treated with a ligand for the muscarinic receptors in general, and those disease states which have been found to be usefully treated by a compound of the invention. Such disease states include, by way of example only, the treatment of a mammal afflicted with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis, irritable bowel syndrome, urinary incontinence, and the like.

[0142] The term “therapeutically effective amount” refers to that amount of a compound which is sufficient to effect treatment, as defined above, when administered to a mammal in need of such treatment. The therapeutically effective amount will vary depending upon the subject and disease condition being treated, the weight and age of the subject, the severity of the disease condition, the manner of administration and the like, which can readily be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0143] The term “linker”, identified by the symbol ‘X’ refers to a group or groups that covalently attaches L₁ and L₂. Additionally, the linker can be either a chiral or achiral molecule. The term “linker” does not, however, extend to cover solid inert supports such as beads, glass particles, fibers, and the like. But it is understood that the compounds of this invention can be attached to a solid support if desired. For example, such attachment to solid supports can be made for use in separation and purification processes and similar applications.

[0144] “Pro-drugs” means any compound which releases an active parent drug according to Formula (I) in vivo when such prodrug is administered to a mammalian subject. Prodrugs of a compound of Formula (I) are prepared by modifying functional groups present in the compound of Formula (I) in such a way that the modifications may be cleaved in vivo to release the parent compound. Prodrugs include compounds of Formula (I) wherein a hydroxy, amino, or sulfhydryl group in compound (I) is bonded to any group that may be cleaved in vivo to regenerate the free hydroxyl, amino, or sulfhydryl group, respectively. Examples of prodrugs include, but are not limited to esters (e.g., acetate, formate, and benzoate derivatives), carbamates (e.g., N,N-dimethylaminocarbonyl) of hydroxy functional groups in compounds of Formula (I), and the like.

[0145] While the broadest definition of this invention is set forth in the Summary of the Invention, certain compounds of Formula (I) may be preferred. Specific and preferred values listed herein for radicals, substituents, and ranges, are for illustration only; they do not exclude other defined values or other values within defined ranges for the radicals and substituents.

[0146] A preferred value for A is phenyl or pyridine.

[0147] A preferred value for R¹ is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl.

[0148] Another preferred value for R¹ is hydrogen.

[0149] A preferred value for R² is pyrrolyl, pyridinyl, or imidazolyl.

[0150] Another preferred value for R² is phenyl.

[0151] A preferred value for V is —CH— or —NR⁴— (wherein R⁴ is hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl).

[0152] A preferred value for R³ is hydrogen or alkyl.

[0153] A preferred value for R⁵ is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, or a covalent bond attaching (a) to a linker.

[0154] Another preferred value for R⁵ is hydrogen, methyl, phenyl optionally substituted with alkyl, alkoxy, halo, hydroxy, carboxy, or amino, benzyl optionally substituted with alkyl, alkoxy, halo, hydroxy, carboxy, or amino.

[0155] A preferred value for R⁶, R⁷, and R⁸ independent of each other is hydrogen, alkyl, nitro, hydroxy, or amino.

[0156] A preferred value for K is alkylene having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms.

[0157] A preferred value for K is alkylene having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms.

[0158] A preferred value for K is a bond or a methylene group.

[0159] A preferred value for K″ is a bond.

[0160] A preferred value for R^(x) is alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl, each optionally substituted with 1 to 5 alkoxy or fluoro substituents.

[0161] Another preferred value for R^(x) is (C₁C₆)alkyl, (C₂-C₆)alkenyl, (C₂-C₆)alkynyl, each optionally substituted with 1 to 3 methoxy, ethoxy or fluoro substituents.

[0162] Another preferred value for R^(x) is (C₁-C₆)alkyl optionally substituted with 1 to 3 methoxy, ethoxy, or fluoro substituents.

[0163] Another preferred value for R^(x) is methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl or secbutyl, optionally substituted with methoxy or ethoxy or with 1 to 3 or fluoro substituents.

[0164] Another preferred value for R^(x) is methyl, ethyl, methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, methoxyethyl, ethoxyethyl, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxymethyl, formyl, or acetyl.

[0165] A more preferred value for R^(x) is methyl, ethyl, methoxymethyl, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, or trifluoromethyl.

[0166] A preferred value for B is a heterocycloamino group which attaches (a) to a linker.

[0167] Another preferred value for B is a formula selected from a group consisting of formula (j), formula (k), and formula (l):

[0168] wherein:

[0169] n₁₃ and n₁₄ are, independently of each other, an integer of from 0 to 4 provided that n₁₃+n₁₄ is an integer of from 3 to 5;

[0170] n₁₅ and n₁₇ are, independently of each other, an integer of from 0 to 4 provided that n₁₅+n₁₇ is an integer of from 3 to 5;

[0171] n₁₆ is an integer of from 0 to 3 provided that n₁₅+n₁₆ is an integer of from 3 to 5;

[0172] n₁₈, n₁₉ and n₂₀ are, independently of each other, an integer of from 0 to 3 provided that n₁₈+n₁₉+n₂₀ is 2 or 3;

[0173] n₂₁ is an integer of from 1 to 3;

[0174] W^(a) and W^(c) are, independently of each other:

[0175] where:

[0176] n₂₂ is 0 or 1;

[0177] R⁵³ and R⁵⁴ are, independently of each other, hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aralkyl, or heterocyclylalkyl or a covalent bond attaching (a) to a linker;

[0178] R⁵⁵ is alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl; and

[0179] W^(b) is —N(O)n₂₃ or —N⁺—R⁵⁶ where n₂₃ is 0 or 1, and R⁵⁶ is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or aralkyl, or a covalent bond attaching (a) to a linker;

[0180] provided that a carbon other than a bridge head carbon is bonded to B″.

[0181] Another preferred value for B is a ring represented by the following general formulae:

[0182] wherein a carbon atom other than a bridge head carbon is bound to B″; and W^(c) is as defined above.

[0183] A more preferred value for B is pyrrolidine, piperidine, or hexahydroazepine attaching (a) to a linker.

[0184] Another more preferred value for B is piperidine wherein the nitrogen atom of said piperidine attaches (a) to a linker.

[0185] Another more preferred value for B is piperidin-4-yl wherein the nitrogen at the 1 position optionally attaches (a) to a linker.

[0186] Another more preferred value for B is quinuclidine, 1-azabicyclo[2.2.1]-heptyl, or 1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octyl attaching (a) to a linker, wherein a carbon other than a bridge head carbon is bound to B″.

[0187] A preferred value for B taken together with R^(x) is 4-methylpiperidine-1,4-diyl.

[0188] A preferred value for D″ is —(CH₂)n₄₃— where n₄₃ is an integer of from 1-10, preferably 2-8, more preferably 2-4. Another preferred value for n₄₃ is an integer of from 3-10.

[0189] A preferred value for D is —NR³¹R³² or —N⁺(R³³R³⁴R³⁵)M⁻ where R³¹, R³³, and R³⁴ are, independently of each other, hydrogen or methyl, and R³² and R³⁵ represent a covalent bond attaching (b) to a linker. More preferably R³¹, R³³, and R³⁴ methyl, and R³² and R³⁵ represent a covalent bond attaching (b) to a linker.

[0190] A preferred value for R²⁷ is hydrogen.

[0191] A preferred value for R²⁸ is hydrogen.

[0192] A preferred value for R²⁹ and R³⁰ independently is hydrogen; or one of R²⁷, R²⁸, R²⁹, or R³⁰ together with the adjacent group forms a methylenedioxy or ethylenedioxy group.

[0193] A preferred value for n₁₁ is 1.

[0194] A preferred value for n₁₂ is 6.

[0195] A preferred value for F is —O—.

[0196] A preferred value for F″ is a covalent bond, —OR⁴³, —NR⁴²R⁴³ wherein R⁴² is hydrogen or alkyl, or —N⁺(R⁴³R⁴⁴R⁴⁵) wherein R⁴⁴ and R⁴⁵ are alkyl, and R⁴³ is a covalent bond attaching (c) to a linker.

[0197] A preferred value for F″ is —O—, —NH—, N(CH₃)— or —N(CH₃)₂

[0198] A more preferred value for F″ is —NH—, N(CH₃)— or —N(CH₃)₂— wherein the nitrogen atom attaches (c) to a linker.

[0199] A preferred value for R³⁶ is hydrogen.

[0200] Preferably R³⁷ is ortho to the —(CHR³⁸)— group and is hydrogen or alkoxy. More preferably R³⁷ is ortho to the —(CHR³⁸)— group and is methoxy.

[0201] Preferably is R³⁸ is hydrogen.

[0202] Preferably R³⁹ is hydrogen.

[0203] Preferably L₂ is a group of formula (d) wherein: R⁴⁶ is alkyl or substituted alkyl; R⁴⁷ is alkyl, substituted alkyl, or heterocycle; or R⁴⁶ and R⁴⁷ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form heterocycle.

[0204] Preferably, L₂ is a group of formula A1-A241 as shown in the following table. L₂ is preferably linked to X through a non-aromatic nitrogen atom (e.g. a secondary amino nitrogen) of L₂. No. L₂ A1

A2

A3

A4

A5

A6

A7

A8

A9

A10

A11

A12

A13

A14

A15

A16

A17

A18

A19

A20

A21

A22

A23

A24

A25

A26

A27

A28

A29

A30

A31

A32

A33

A34

A35

A36

A37

A38

A39

A40

A41

A42

A43

A44

A45

A46

A47

A48

A49

A50

A51

A52

A53

A54

A55

A56

A57

A58

A59

A60

A61

A62

A63

A64

A65

A66

A67

A68

A69

A70

A71

A72

A73

A74

A75

A76

A77

A78

A79

A80

A81

A82

A83

A84

A85

A86

A87

A88

A89

A90

A91

A92

A93

A94

A95

A96

A97

A98

A99

A100

A101

A102

A103

A104

A105

A106

A107

A108

A109

A110

A111

A112

A113

A114

A115

A116

A117

A118

A119

A120

A121

A122

A123

A124

A125

A126

A127

A128

A129

A130

A131

A132

A133

A134

A135

A136

A137

A138

A139

A140 A141

A142

A143

A144

A145

A146

A147

A148

A149

A150

A151

A152

A153

A154

A155

A156

A157

A158

A159

A160

A161

A162

A163

A164

A165

A166

A167

A168

A169

A170

A171

A172

A173

A174

A175

A176

A177

A178

A179

A180

A181

A182

A183

A184

A185

A186

A187

A188

A189

A190

A191

A192

A193

A194

A195

A196

A197

A198

A199

A200

A201

A202

A203

A204

A205

A206

A207

A208

A209

A210

A211

A212

A213

A214

A215

A216

A217

A218

A219

A220

A221

A222

A223

A224

A225

A226

A227

A228

A229

A230

A231

A232

A233

A234

A235

A236

A237

A238

A239

A240

A241

[0205] Preferably, L₂ can also be a group of formula A301-A439 as shown in the following table. L₂ is preferably linked to X through a non-aromatic nitrogen atom (e.g. a secondary amino nitrogen) of L₂. A301

A302

A303

A304

A305

A306

A307

A308

A309

A310

A311

A312

A313

A314

A315

A316

A317

A318

A319

A320

A321

A322

A323

A324

A325

A326

A327

A328

A329

A330

A331

A332

A333

A334

A335

A336

A337

A338

A339

A340

A341

A342

A343

A344

A345

A346

A347

A348

A349

A350

A351

A352

A353

A354

A355

A356

A357

A358

A359

A360

A361

A362

A363

A364

A365

A366

A367

A368

A369

A370

A371

A372

A373

A374

A375

A376

A377

A378

A379

A380

A381

A382

A383

A384

A385

A386

A387

A388

A389

A390

A391

A393

A394

A395

A396

A397

A398

A399

A400

A401

A402

A403

A404

A405

A406

A407

A408

A409

A410

A411

A412

A413

A414

A415

A416

A417

A418

A419

A420

A421

A422

A423

A424

A425

A426

A427

A428

A429

A430

A431

A432

A433

A434

A435

A436

A437

A438

A439

[0206] Preferably, L₂ can also be a group of formula A501-A590 as shown in the following table. L₂ is preferably linked to X through a non-aromatic nitrogen atom (e.g. a secondary amino nitrogen) of L₂. No. L₂ No. L₂ A501

A502

A503

A504

A505

A506

A507

A508

A509

A510

A511

A512

A513

A514

A515

A516

A517

A518

A519

A520

A521

A522

A523

A524

A525

A526

A527

A528

A529

A530

A531

A532

A533

A534

A535

A536

A537

A538

A539

A540

A541

A542

A543

A544

A545

A546

A547

A548

A549

A550

A551

A552

A553

A554 A555

A556

A557

A558

A559

A560

A561

A562

A563

A564

A565

A566

A567

A568

A569

A570

A571

A572

A573

A574

A575

A576

A577

A578

A579

A580

A581

A582

A583

A584

A585

A586

A587

A588

A589

A590

[0207] A preferred value for L₂ is A234, A363, A364, A153, A28, A324, A329, A562, A87, or A239.

[0208] A prefered value for X is alkylene optionally substituted with one, two, or three hydroxy groups, alkylene wherein one, two or three carbon atoms have been replaced by an oxygen atom, -alkylene-phenylene-alkylene- wherein the phenylene ring is optionally substituted with one or two chloro or fluoro groups.

[0209] Another preferred value for X is an alkylene group having from 3 to 20 carbon atoms; wherein one or more carbon atoms (e.g. 1, 2, 3, or 4) in the alkylene group is optionally replaced with —O—; and wherein the chain is optionally substituted on carbon with one or more (e.g. 1, 2, 3, or 4) hydroxyl.

[0210] Another preferred value for X is an alkylene group having from 6 to 15 carbons atoms; wherein one or more carbon atoms (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4) in the alkylene group is optionally replaced with —O—; and wherein the chain is optionally substituted on carbon with one or more (e.g. 1, 2, 3, or 4) hydroxyl.

[0211] Another preferred value for X is nonane-1,9-diyl, octane-1,8-diyl, propane-1,3-diyl, 2-hydroxypropane-1,3-diyl, or 5-oxa-nonane-1,9-diyl.

[0212] Another preferred value for X is a group of the following formula:

[0213] wherein the phenyl ring is optionally substituted with 1, 2, or 3 fluoro groups.

[0214] Another preferred value for X is a group of one of the following formulae:

[0215] A preferred group of compounds of formula (I) are compounds wherein R² is selected from formula (i) and (iii); and wherein K″ is a bond or methylene.

[0216] A preferred group of compounds of formula (I) are compounds wherein R² is formula (i); R³ is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, fluoro, or trifluoromethyl; and K″ is a bond or methylene.

[0217] A preferred group of compounds of formula (I) are compounds wherein R² is formula (iii); R⁶, R⁷, and R⁸ are each hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, fluoro, or trifluoromethyl; and K″ is a bond or methylene.

[0218] A preferred group of compounds are compounds of formula (I) wherein R⁴⁶ is alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, or heterocycle; R⁴⁷ is alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, acyl, heterocycle, or —COOR⁵⁰ where R⁵⁰ is alkyl; or R⁴⁶ and R⁴⁷ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form heterocycle.

[0219] A preferred group of compounds are compounds of formula (I) wherein L₂ is a group of formula (d) wherein R⁴⁶ and R⁴⁷ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form heterocycle which is substituted with 1 to 5 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, substituted amino, aminoacyl, aminoacyloxy, oxyaminoacyl, azido, cyano, halogen, hydroxyl, keto, thioketo, carboxyl, carboxylalkyl, thioaryloxy, thioheteroaryloxy, thioheterocyclooxy, thiol, thioalkoxy, substituted thioalkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, heteroaryloxy, heterocyclic, heterocyclooxy, hydroxyamino, alkoxyamino, nitro, —SO-alkyl, —SO-substituted alkyl, —SO-aryl, —SO-heteroaryl, —SO₂-alkyl, —SO₂-substituted alkyl, —SO₂-aryl —SO₂-heteroaryl, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, and substituted alkynyl.

[0220] A more preferred group of compounds are compounds of formula (I) wherein L₂ is a group of formula (d) wherein R⁴⁶ and R⁴⁷ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form heterocycle which is substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, substituted amino, aminoacyl, aminoacyloxy, oxyaminoacyl, cyano, halogen, hydroxyl, keto, thioketo, carboxyl, carboxylalkyl, hydroxyamino, alkoxyamino, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, and substituted alkynyl.

[0221] A preferred group of compounds are compounds of formula (I) wherein L₂ is a group of formula (d) wherein R⁴⁶ and R⁴⁷ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form heterocycle which is substituted with 1 to 5 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, and substituted alkynyl.

[0222] A preferred group of compounds are compounds of formula (I) wherein L₂ is a group of formula (d) wherein at least one of R⁴⁶ and R⁴⁷ individually, or R⁴⁶ and R⁴⁷ taken together, is a group that comprises a basic nitrogen atom (e.g. a nitrogen atom with a pKa of preferably at least about 5, more preferably al least about 6, or most preferably at least about 7).

[0223] A preferred group of compounds are compounds of formula (I) wherein L₂ is a group of formula (d) wherein R⁴⁶ is a heterocycle, optionally substituted with 1 to 5 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, and substituted alkynyl; and R⁴⁷ is alkyl, substituted alkyl, acyl, or —COOR⁵⁰.

[0224] A preferred group of compounds are compounds of formula (I) wherein L₂ is a group of formula (d) wherein R⁴⁶ is alkyl that is substituted by a group that comprises a basic nitrogen atom (e.g. a nitrogen atom with a pKa of preferably at least about 5, more preferably al least about 6, or most preferably at least about 7).

[0225] A preferred group of compounds are compounds of formula (I) wherein L₂ is a group of formula (d) wherein R⁴⁶ is alkyl that is optionally substituted with from 1 to 5 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, aminoacyl, aminoacyloxy, oxyaminoacyl, cyano, halogen, hydroxyl, keto, thioketo, carboxylalkyl, thioaryloxy, thioheteroaryloxy, thioheterocyclooxy, thiol, thioalkoxy, substituted thioalkoxy, heterocyclic, heterocyclooxy, hydroxyamino, alkoxyamino, NR^(a)R^(b), wherein R^(a) and R^(b) may be the same or different and are chosen from hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, and heterocyclic.

[0226] A preferred group of compounds are compounds of formula (I) wherein L₂ is a group of formula (d) wherein R⁴⁶ is a heterocycle which is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, substituted amino, aminoacyl, aminoacyloxy, oxyaminoacyl, azido, cyano, halogen, hydroxyl, keto, thioketo, carboxyl, carboxylalkyl, thioaryloxy, thioheteroaryloxy, thioheterocyclooxy, thiol, thioalkoxy, substituted thioalkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, heteroaryloxy, heterocyclic, heterocyclooxy, hydroxyamino, alkoxyamino, nitro, —SO-alkyl, —SO-substituted alkyl, —SO-aryl, —SO-heteroaryl, —SO₂-alkyl, —SO₂-substituted alkyl, —SO₂-aryl —SO₂-heteroaryl, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, and substituted alkynyl.

[0227] A preferred group of compounds are compounds of formula (I) wherein L₂ is a group of formula (d) wherein R⁴⁶ is 3-piperidinyl, 4-piperidinyl, or 3-pyrrolidinyl, which R⁴⁶ is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, substituted amino, aminoacyl, aminoacyloxy, oxyaminoacyl, cyano, halogen, hydroxyl, keto, thioketo, carboxylalkyl, thioaryloxy, thioheteroaryloxy, thioheterocyclooxy, thiol, thioalkoxy, substituted thioalkoxy, heterocyclic, heterocyclooxy, hydroxyamino, alkoxyamino, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, and substituted alkynyl.

[0228] A preferred group of compounds are compounds of formula (I) wherein R⁴⁶ and R⁴⁷ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a piperidine or pyrrolidine ring which ring is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, substituted amino, aminoacyl, aminoacyloxy, oxyaminoacyl, cyano, halogen, hydroxyl, keto, thioketo, carboxylalkyl, thioaryloxy, thioheteroaryloxy, thioheterocyclooxy, thiol, thioalkoxy, substituted thioalkoxy, heterocyclic, heterocyclooxy, hydroxyamino, alkoxyamino, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, and substituted alkynyl.

[0229] A preferred group of compounds are compounds of formula (I) wherein R⁴⁶ and R⁴⁷ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a heterocycle that is an aza-crown ether (e.g. 1-aza-12-crown-4, 1-aza-15-crown-5, or 1-aza-18-crown-6).

[0230] A preferred group of compounds of formula (I) are compounds wherein: A is an aryl or a heteroaryl ring; B″ is —O—; R¹ is hydrogen or alkyl; R² is selected from a group consisting of formula (i), (ii), (iii), or “Het”: wherein: - - - is an optional double bond; n, is an integer of from 1 to 4; n₂ is an integer of from 1 to 3; V is —CH—, —O—, —S(O)n₃— (where n₃ is an integer of from 0 to 2), or —NR⁴— (wherein R⁴ is hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl); “Het” is a heteroaryl ring which optionally attaches the ligand to a linker; R³ is hydrogen, alkyl, amino, substituted amino, —OR^(a) (where R^(a) is hydrogen, alkyl, or acyl), or a covalent bond attaching the ligand to a linker; R⁵ is hydrogen, alkyl, amino, substituted amino, —OR^(b) (where R^(b) is hydrogen or alkyl), aryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, or a covalent bond attaching the ligand to a linker; R⁶, R⁷, and R⁸ are, independently of each other, hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkyl optionally substituted with one, two or three substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylthio, alkylsulfonyl, amino, substituted amino, or a covalent bond attaching the ligand to a linker; K is a bond or an alkylene group; K″ is a bond, —C(O)—, —S(O)_(n4)— (where n₄ is an integer of from 0 to 2), or an alkylene group optionally substituted with a hydroxyl group; and B is a heterocycloamino group which optionally attaches the ligand to a linker; provided that at least one of the R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, “Het”, or the heterocycloamino group attaches the ligand to a linker.

[0231] A preferred compound of formula (I) is a compound of formula (III):

[0232] wherein R², K″, A, K, R¹, X, and L₂ have the values defined herein Another preferred compound of formula (I) is a compound of Formula (Ia):

[0233] wherein A, R¹, R², R^(x), K, K″, B, X, R⁴⁶ and R⁴⁷ are as defined hereinabove.

[0234] For a compound of Formula (Ia) a preferred group of compounds is that wherein A is phenyl or pyridine; and K and K″ are bond.

[0235] For a compound of Formula (Ia) another preferred group of is that wherein A is phenyl or pyridine; R² is phenyl; and K and K″ are bond.

[0236] For a compound of Formula (Ia) another preferred group of compounds is that wherein B has any of the preferred values identified herein.

[0237] The invention also provides a compound of formula (IV):

[0238] wherein L₂ is an organic group comprising at least one (e.g. 1, 2, 3, or 4) primary, secondary or tertiary amine; and wherein R², K″, A, K, R¹, R^(x), and X have any of the values defined herein; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt; or prodrug thereof. Typically, the amine of L₂ should be a basic, having a pH of at least about 5, and preferably at least about 6. The nature of the group —X—L₂ is not critical provided the compound (IV) has suitable properties (e.g. solubility, stability, and toxicity) for its intended use (e.g. as a drug or as a pharmacological tool). Typically the group —X—L₂ will have a molecular weight below 500 and preferably below about 300. Additionally, the group —X—L₂ preferably comprises 5 or fewer hydrogen bond donors (e.g. OH, —NHR—, and —C(═O)NHR—) and ten or fewer hydrogen bond acceptors (e.g. —O—, —NRR—, and —S—). Preferably, the piperidine nitrogen shown in formula (IV) is separated from an amine of the group L₂ by about 15 angstroms to about 75 angstroms (based on conventionally acceptable bond lengths and angles). More preferably, the piperidine nitrogen is separated from an amine of the group L₂ by about 25 angstroms to about 50 angstroms. Preferred compounds of formula (IV) also have a log D between about −3 and about 5. Using the above parameters, one skilled in the art can readily determine compounds of formula (I) possessing the desired properties for an intended use.

GENERAL SYNTHETIC SCHEMES

[0239] Compounds of this invention can be made by the methods depicted in the reaction schemes shown below.

[0240] The starting materials and reagents used in preparing these compounds are either available from commercial suppliers such as Aldrich Chemical Co., (Milwaukee, Wis., USA), Bachem (Torrance, Calif., USA), Emrka-Chemie, or Sigma (St. Louis, Mo., USA) or are prepared by methods known to those skilled in the art following procedures set forth in references such as Fieser and Fieser's Reagents for Organic Synthesis, Volumes 1-15 (John Wiley and Sons, 1991); Rodd's Chemistry of Carbon Compounds, Volumes 1-5 and Supplementals (Elsevier Science Publishers, 1989), Organic Reactions, Volumes 1-40 (John Wiley and Sons, 1991), March's Advanced Organic Chemistry, (John Wiley and Sons, 4th Edition), and Larock's Comprehensive Organic Transformations (VCH Publishers Inc., 1989).

[0241] The starting materials and the intermediates of the reaction may be isolated and purified if desired using conventional techniques, including but not limited to filtration, distillation, crystallization, chromatography, and the like. Such materials may be characterized using conventional means, including physical constants and spectral data.

[0242] Furthermore, it will be appreciated that where typical or preferred process conditions (i.e., reaction temperatures, times, mole ratios of reactants, solvents, pressures, etc.) are given, other process conditions can also be used unless otherwise stated. Optimum reaction conditions may vary with the particular reactants or solvent used, but such conditions can be determined by one skilled in the art by routine optimization procedures.

[0243] Additionally, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, conventional protecting groups may be necessary to prevent certain functional groups from undergoing undesired reactions. The choice of a suitable protecting group for a particular functional group as well as suitable conditions for protection and deprotection are well known in the art. For example, numerous protecting groups, and their introduction and removal, are described in T. W. Greene and G. M. Wuts, Protecting Groups in Organic Synthesis, Second Edition, Wiley, New York, 1991, and references cited therein.

[0244] These schemes are merely illustrative of some methods by which the compounds of this invention can be synthesized, and various modifications to these schemes can be made and will be suggested to one skilled in the art having referred to this disclosure.

Preparation of a compound of Formula (I)

[0245] In general, compounds of Formula (I) can be prepared as illustrated and described in Schemes A.

[0246] A compound of Formula (I) is prepared by covalently attaching one equivalent of a compound of formula 1 with a compound of formula 2 where X is a linker as defined herein, FG¹ is a functional group, FG² is a functional group that is complimentary to FG¹, PG is a protecting group, and FG²PG is a protected functional group to give an intermediate of formula (II). Deprotection of the functional group on the linker, followed by reaction of resulting compound 3 with one equivalent of compound 4, then provides a compound of Formula (I). The reaction conditions used to link compounds 1 and 4 to compound 2 and 3 depend on the nature of the functional groups on compounds 1, 2, 3 and 4 which in turn depend on the type of linkage desired. Examples of the functional groups and the reaction conditions that can be used to generate a specific linkage is described below. TABLE I Representative Complementary Binding Chemistries First Reactive Group Second Reactive Group Linkage carboxyl amine amide sulfonyl halide amine sulfonamide hydroxyl alkyl/aryl halide ether hydroxyl isocyanate urethane amine epoxide β-hydroxyamine amine alkyl/aryl halide alkylamine hydroxyl carboxyl ester

[0247] Reaction between a carboxylic acid of either the linker or the ligand and a primary or secondary amine of the ligand or the linker in the presence of suitable, well-known activating agents such as dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, results in formation of an amide bond covalently linking the ligand to the linker; reaction between an amine group of either the linker or the ligand and a sulfonyl halide of the ligand or the linker, in the presence of a base such as triethylamine, pyridine, and the like results in formation of a sulfonamide bond covalently linking the ligand to the linker; and reaction between an alcohol or phenol group of either the linker or the ligand and an alkyl or aryl halide of the ligand or the linker in the presence of a base such as triethylamine, pyridine, and the like, results in formation of an ether bond covalently linking the ligand to the linker.

[0248] Suitable dihydroxyl and dihalo starting materials useful for incorporating a group X into a compound of the invention are shown in the following table. Preferably, an alcohol is reacted with a ligand bearing a leaving group to provide an ether bond, while a dihalo compound is preferably reacted with an amine of the ligand to form a substituted amine. No. X X1

X2

X3

X4

X5

X6

X7

X8

X9

X10

X11

X12

X13

X14

X15

X16

X17

X18

X19

X20

X21

X22

X23

X24

X25

X26

X27

X28

X29

X30

X31

X32

X33

X34

X35

X36

X37

X38

X39

X40

X41

X42

X43

X44

X45

X46

X47

X48

X49

X50

X51

X52

X53

X54

X55 HOCH₂(CF₂)₈CH₂OH X56

X57

X58

X59

X60

X61

X62

X63

X64

X65

X66

X67

X68

X69 HOCH₂(CH₂)₄CH₂OH X70

X71

X72

X73

X74

X75

X76

X77

X78

X79

X80

X81

X82

X83

X84

X85

X86

X87

X88

X89

X90

X91

X92

X93

X94

X95

X96

X97

X98

X99

X100 HOCH₂(CF₂)₃CH₂OH

[0249] Typically, a compound selected for use as a ligand will have at least one functional group, such as an amino, hydroxyl, thiol or carboxyl group and the like, which allows the compound to be readily coupled to the linker. Compounds having such functionality are either known in the art or can be prepared by routine modification of known compounds using conventional reagents and procedures.

[0250] A compound of formula (a) wherein A is phenyl, pyridyl, and the like can be prepared as described in EP 747 355 and as described by Naito, R. et al., Chem. Pharm. Bull., 1998, 46(8), 1286.

[0251] A compound of formula (I) wherein L₁ comprises a nitrogen that is bonded to X, can be prepared by alkylating a corresponding compound of formula L₁—H wherein —H is bound to the nitrogen, with a corresponding compound of R_(a)—X—L₂ wherein X and L₂ have any of the values defined herein and R_(a) is a suitable leaving group. Suitable leaving groups an conditions for the alkylation of an amine are known in the art (for example, see Advanced Organic Chemistry, Reaction Mechanisms and Structure, 4 ed., 1992, Jerry March, John Wiley & Sons, New York. For example, R_(a) can be halo (e.g. chloro, bromo, or iodo), methylsulfonyl, 4-tolylsulfonyl, mesyl, or trifluoromethylsulfonyl.

[0252] Accordingly, the invention provides a method for preparing a compound of formula (I) wherein L₁ comprises a nitrogen that is bonded to X, comprising alkylating a corresponding compound of formula L₁—H with a compound of R_(a)—X—L₂ wherein X and L₂ have any of the values defined herein and R_(a) is a suitable leaving group.

[0253] The invention also provides a compound of formula L₁—H wherein L₁, has any of the values defined herein. The following compound is a preferred compound of formula L₁—H:

[0254] The compound of formula L₁—H can also be alkylated by treatment with an aldehyde of formula L₂—V—CHO (wherein —V—CH₂— is equivalent to —X—), under reductive alkylation conditions. Reagents and conditions suitable for carrying out the reductive alkylation of an amine are known in the art (for example, see Advanced Organic Chemistry, Reaction Mechanisms and Structure, 4 ed., 1992, Jerry March, John Wiley & Sons, New York).

[0255] Accordingly, the invention provides a method for preparing a compound of formula (I) wherein L₁ comprises a nitrogen that is bonded to X, comprising alkylating a corresponding compound of formula L₁—H with a compound of formula L₂—V—CHO (wherein —V—CH₂— has any of the values for —X— described herein).

[0256] A compound of formula (I) wherein L₂ comprises a nitrogen that is bonded to X, can be prepared by alkylating a corresponding compound of formula L₂—H wherein —H is bound to the nitrogen, with a corresponding compound of L₁—X—R_(a) wherein X and L₁ have any of the values defined herein and R_(a) is a suitable leaving group. Suitable leaving groups an conditions for the alkylation of an amine are known in the art (for example, see Advanced Organic Chemistry, Reaction Mechanisms and Structure, 4 ed., 1992, Jerry March, John Wiley & Sons, New York. For example, R_(a) can be halo (e.g. chloro, bromo, or iodo), methylsulfonyl, 4-tolylsulfonyl, mesyl, or trifluoromethylsulfonyl.

[0257] Accordingly, the invention provides a method for preparing a compound of formula (I) wherein L₂ comprises a nitrogen that is bonded to X, comprising alkylating a corresponding compound of formula L₂—H with a compound of L₁—X—R_(a) wherein X and L₁ have any of the values defined herein and R_(a) is a suitable leaving group.

[0258] The compound of formula L₂—H can also be alkylated by treatment with an aldehyde of formula L₁—V—CHO (wherein —V—CH₂— is equivalent to —X—), under reductive alkylation conditions. Reagents and conditions suitable for carrying out the reductive alkylation of an amine are known in the art (for example, see Advanced Organic Chemistry, Reaction Mechanisms and Structure, 4 ed., 1992, Jerry March, John Wiley & Sons, New York).

[0259] Accordingly, the invention provides a method for preparing a compound of formula (I) wherein L₂ comprises a nitrogen that is bonded to X, comprising alkylating a corresponding compound of formula L₂—H with a compound of formula L₁—V—CHO (wherein —V—CH₂— has any of the values for —X— described herein).

[0260] It will be understood that the alkylation reactions in Schemes B and C can optionally be carried out using suitably protected derivatives of L₁—H, L₂—H, L₁—X—R_(a), R_(a)—X—L₂, L₁—V—CHO, and L₂—V—CHO. Suitable protecting groups as well as conditions for their incorporation and removal are known in the art (for example, see Greene, T. W.; Wutz, P. G. M. “Protecting Groups In Organic Synthesis” second edition, 1991, New York, John Wiley & sons, Inc.). Thus, a compound of formula (I) can also be prepared by deprotecting a corresponding compound of formula (I) bearing one or more protecting groups.

[0261] Accordingly, the invention provides a method for preparing a compound of formula (I) comprising deprotecting a corresponding compound of formula (I) that bears one or more protecting groups. The invention also provides an intermediate compound of formula (I) that bears one or more protecting groups.

Combinatorial Synthesis

[0262] Compounds of formula (I) can conveniently be prepared using combinatorial synthesis methods (e.g. solid phase and solution phase combinatorial synthesis methods) that are known in the art. For example, compounds of formula (I) can be prepared using combinatorial methods like those escribed in International Patent Application Publication Number WO 99/64043.

Utility, Testing, and Administration Utility

[0263] The compounds of this invention are muscarinic receptor antagonists or agonists. A preferred sub-group are M₂ muscarinic receptor antagonists. Accordingly, the compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of this invention are useful in the treatment and prevention of diseases mediated by these receptors such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, urinary incontinence, rhinitis, spasmodic colitis, chronic cystitis, and Alzheimer's disease, senile dementia, glaucoma, schizophrenia, gastroesophogeal reflux disease, cardiac arrhythmia, hyper salvation syndromes, and the like.

Testing

[0264] The ability of the compounds of formula (I) to inhibit a muscarinic receptor (e.g. the M₂ or M₃ subtype) may be demonstrated using a variety of in vitro assays and in vivo assays known in the field, or may be demonstrated using an assay described in biological examples 1-6 below.

Pharmaceutical Formulations

[0265] When employed as pharmaceuticals, the compounds of this invention are usually administered in the form of pharmaceutical compositions. These compounds can be administered by a variety of routes including oral, rectal, transdermal, subcutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular, intravesicular, and intranasal. These compounds are effective as both injectable and oral compositions. Such compositions are prepared in a manner well known in the pharmaceutical art and comprise at least one active compound.

[0266] This invention also includes pharmaceutical compositions which contain, as the active ingredient, one or more of the compounds described herein associated with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers. In making the compositions of this invention, the active ingredient is usually mixed with an excipient, diluted by an excipient or enclosed within such a carrier which can be in the form of a capsule, sachet, paper or other container. When the excipient serves as a diluent, it can be a solid, semi-solid, or liquid material, which acts as a vehicle, carrier or medium for the active ingredient. Thus, the compositions can be in the form of tablets, pills, powders, lozenges, sachets, cachets, elixirs, suspensions, emulsions, solutions, syrups, aerosols (as a solid or in a liquid medium), ointments containing, for example, up to 10% by weight of the active compound, soft and hard gelatin capsules, suppositories, sterile injectable solutions, and sterile packaged powders.

[0267] In preparing a formulation, it may be necessary to mill the active compound to provide the appropriate particle size prior to combining with the other ingredients. If the active compound is substantially insoluble, it ordinarily is milled to a particle size of less than 200 mesh. If the active compound is substantially water soluble, the particle size is normally adjusted by milling to provide a substantially uniform distribution in the formulation, e.g. about 40 mesh.

[0268] Some examples of suitable excipients include lactose, dextrose, sucrose, sorbitol, mannitol, starches, gum acacia, calcium phosphate, alginates, tragacanth, gelatin, calcium silicate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, cellulose, sterile water, syrup, and methyl cellulose. The formulations can additionally include: lubricating agents such as talc, magnesium stearate, and mineral oil; wetting agents; emulsifying and suspending agents; preserving agents such as methyl- and propylhydroxy-benzoates; sweetening agents; and flavoring agents. The compositions of the invention can be formulated so as to provide quick, sustained or delayed release of the active ingredient after administration to the patient by employing procedures known in the art.

[0269] The compositions are preferably formulated in a unit dosage form, each dosage containing from about 0.001 to about 1 g, usually about 0.1 to 500 mg, more usually about 1 to about 30 mg, of the active ingredient. The term “unit dosage forms” refers to physically discrete units suitable as unitary dosages for human subjects and other mammals, each unit containing a predetermined quantity of active material calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect, in association with a suitable pharmaceutical excipient. Preferably, the compound of Formula (I) above is employed at no more than about 20 weight percent of the pharmaceutical composition, more preferably no more than about 15 weight percent, with the balance being pharmaceutically inert carrier(s).

[0270] The active compound is effective over a wide dosage range and is generally administered in a pharmaceutically effective amount. It, will be understood, however, that the amount of the compound actually administered will be determined by a physician, in the light of the relevant circumstances, including the condition to be treated, the chosen route of administration, the actual compound administered and its relative activity, the age, weight, and response of the individual patient, the severity of the patient's symptoms, and the like.

[0271] For preparing solid compositions such as tablets, the principal active ingredient is mixed with a pharmaceutical excipient to form a solid preformulation composition containing a homogeneous mixture of a compound of the present invention. When referring to these preformulation compositions as homogeneous, it is meant that the active ingredient is dispersed evenly throughout the composition so that the composition may be readily subdivided into equally effective unit dosage forms such as tablets, pills and capsules. This solid preformulation is then subdivided into unit dosage forms of the type described above containing from, for example, 0.1 to about 500 mg of the active ingredient of the present invention.

[0272] The tablets or pills of the present invention may be coated or otherwise compounded to provide a dosage form affording the advantage of prolonged action. For example, the tablet or pill can comprise an inner dosage and an outer dosage component, the latter being in the form of an envelope over the former. The two components can be separated by an enteric layer which serves to resist disintegration in the stomach and permit the inner component to pass intact into the duodenum or to be delayed in release. A variety of materials can be used for such enteric layers or coatings, such materials including a number of polymeric acids and mixtures of polymeric acids with such materials as shellac, cetyl alcohol, and cellulose acetate.

[0273] The liquid forms in which the novel compositions of the present invention may be incorporated for administration orally or by injection include aqueous solutions, suitably flavored syrups, aqueous or oil suspensions, and flavored emulsions with edible oils such as corn oil, cottonseed oil, sesame oil, coconut oil, or peanut oil, as well as elixirs and similar pharmaceutical vehicles.

[0274] Compositions for inhalation or insufflation include solutions and suspensions in pharmaceutically acceptable, aqueous or organic solvents, or mixtures thereof, and powders. The liquid or solid compositions may contain suitable pharmaceutically acceptable excipients as described supra. Preferably the compositions are administered by the oral or nasal respiratory route for local or systemic effect. Compositions in preferably pharmaceutically acceptable solvents may be nebulized by use of inert gases. Nebulized solutions may be inhaled directly from the nebulizing device or the nebulizing device may be attached to a face mask tent, or intermittent positive pressure breathing machine. Solution, suspension, or powder compositions may be administered, preferably orally or nasally, from devices which deliver the formulation in an appropriate manner.

EXAMPLES

[0275] The following preparations and examples are given to enable those skilled in the art to more clearly understand and to practice the present invention. They should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention, but merely as being illustrative and representative thereof.

[0276] In the examples below, the following abbreviations have the following meanings. Unless otherwise stated, all temperatures are in degrees Celsius. If an abbreviation is not defined, it has its generally accepted meaning.

[0277] g=gram

[0278] mg=milligram

[0279] min=minute

[0280] ml=milliliter

[0281] mmol=millimol

Synthetic Examples Example 1 Synthesis of 4-methylpiperidin-4-yl—N-(2-biphenylyl)carbamate

[0282] Step 1

[0283] N-benzyl-4-piperidone (2 g, 10.6 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (20 ml) and the solution was degassed. After cooling the reaction mixture to −78° C., a solution of methylmagnesium bromide (7 ml of 3M solution in tetrahydrofuran, 21.2 mmol) was added via syringe over 5 min. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to 0° C. and then stirred for 2 h. Ammonium chloride (60 ml, 0.2M) was added slowly to quench the reaction. The solution was basified to pH 12 and then extracted with chloroform. The organic layer was washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated to provide N-benzyl-4-hydroxy-4-methylpiperine in quantative yield.

[0284] Step 2

[0285] N-benzyl-4-hydroxy-4-methylpiperine (7.14 g, 34.8 mmol) was combined with biphenyl-2-isocyanate into a 40 ml high pressure tube without solvent. The tube was capped and a blast shield was placed. The reaction mixture was heated with stirring in an oil bath to 70° C. for 12 h. Ethyl acetate was added after cooling and the organic layer was washed with saturated bicarbonate, brine and then dried over magnesium sulfate. The solvent was removed under vacuum to provide 4-hydroxy-4-methylpiperine (10 g, 36%). Step 3 4-Hydroxy-4-methylpiperine (0.2 g, 0.5 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrous methanol (5 ml) and nitrogen gas was vigorously bubbled through the solution for 10 min. Palladium hydroxide (Pearlman's catalyst, 50 mg) and hydrochloric acid (50 ul, 37%) was added under a stream of nitrogen. A balloon containing hydrogen gas was placed and the solution was allowed to stir for 12 h. The solution was concentrated under vacuum and then partitioned between ethyl acetate and 0.1 N hydrochloric acid. The aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layers were combined, dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated to provide 4-methylpiperidin-4-yl—N—(2-biphenylyl)carbamate in quantative yield.

[0286] Following the procedures described above but substituting appropriate starting materials, the compounds of the invention (formula (VI)) listed in Table A below were prepared. In the following Tables A and B, L₂ is linked to X through the secondary non-aromatic amine of L₂ unless otherwise noted. TABLE A (VI)

Compound L₂ Mass Spec Found 1 A501 614.8 2 A502 587.8 3 A503 696.0 4 A504 573.8 5 A397 619.7 6 A337 565.8 7 A303 524.7 8 A505 641.9 9 A506 613.9 10 A431 674.9 11 A388 612.9 12 A366 598.8 13 A523 593.8 14 A417 637.9 15 A357 590.8 16 A319 551.7 17 A381 608.8 18 A351 579.8 19 A338 565.8 20 A362 594.8 21 A507 508.7 22 A329 552.8 23 A402 623.8 24 A403 623.8 25 A315 550.8 26 A333 564.8

[0287] Following the procedures described above but substituting appropriate starting materials, the compounds of the invention (formula (VII)) listed in Table B below were prepared. TABLE B (VII)

Compound L2 Mass Spec Found 27 A508 606.8 28 A509 606.8 29 A501 598.8 30 A510 583.6 31 A502 571.8 32 A43 620.9 33 A511 582.8 34 A512 596.8 35 A513 620.9 36 A503 680.0 37 A504 557.8 38 A514 614.9 39 A141 676.9 40 A169 586.8 41 A164 586.8 42 A199 536.8 43 A70 611.9 44 A73 611.9 45 A156 674.9 46 A230 606.9 47 A8 600.9 48 A515 674.9 49 A516 556.8 50 A97 580.8 51 A96 554.8 52 A190 574.9 53 A517 686.0 54 A62 611.9 55 A74 585.8 56 A65 585.8 57 A193 617.9 58 A142 673.9 59 A177 625.9 60 A68 584.8 61 398 605.8 62 A166 611.9 63 A80 589.9 64 332 538.8 65 A34 535.7 66 A93 549.8 67 A163 535.8 68 A59 563.8 69 A49 652.9 70 A31 583.8 71 A205 565.8 72 A154 581.9 73 A229 616.9 74 A43 621.9 75 A94 582.8 76 A511^(#) 583.8 77 A218 587.8 78 A123 563.8 79 A518 617.9 80 A519 603.9 81 A17 596.9 82 A21 602.8 83 A25 638.9 84 A33 621.9 85 420 623.9 86 A135 610.9 87 A210 612.9 88 A88 600.9 89 A72 598.8 90 A26 638.9 91 A75 582.8 92 A171 622.9 93 A81 550.8 94 412 614.8 95 421 623.9 96 A232 586.8 97 A20 596.8 98 A153 640.9 99 A9 554.8 100 A520 536.8 101 A237 618.8 102 A10 586.8 103 A98 607.8 104 A111 535.7 105 A4 563.8 106 A19 522.7 107 A521 600.9 108 A103* 599.9 109 A103** 600.9 110 A60 605.9 111 A522 669.9 112 A109 584.9 113 A197 537.8 114 A235 592.8 115 A233 601.8 116 A195 532.7 117 A22 595.8 118 A1 534.8 119 A63 549.8 120 A225 577.2 121 A77 654.9 122 A222 588.8 123 A211 619.9 124 A115 536.8 125 A307 520.8 126 A397 603.7 127 A333 549.8 128 A303 508.7 129 A505^(@) 625.9 130 A506^(@) 597.9 131 A431 658.9 132 A388 596.9 133 A366 582.8 134 A523 577.8 135 A417 621.9 136 A357 574.8 137 A319 535.7 138 A381 592.8 139 A351 563.8 140 A338 549.8 141 A362 578.8 142 A507 492.7 143 A402 607.8 144 A403 607.8 145 A315 534.8 146 A333 548.8

Formulation Examples Example 1

[0288] Hard gelatin capsules containing the following ingredients are prepared: Quantity Ingredient (mg/capsule) Active Ingredient  30.0 Starch 305.0 Magnesium stearate  5.0

[0289] The above ingredients are mixed and filled into hard gelatin capsules in 340 mg quantities.

Example 2

[0290] A tablet Formula is prepared using the ingredients below: Quantity Ingredient (mg/tablet) Active Ingredient 25.0 Cellulose, microcrystalline 200.0  Colloidal silicon dioxide 10.0 Stearic acid  5.0

[0291] The components are blended and compressed to form tablets, each weighing 240 mg.

Example 3

[0292] A dry powder inhaler formulation is prepared containing the following components: Ingredient Weight % Active Ingredient  5 Lactose 95

[0293] The active ingredient is mixed with the lactose and the mixture is added to a dry powder inhaling appliance.

Example 4

[0294] Tablets, each containing 30 mg of active ingredient, are prepared as follows: Quantity Ingredient (mg/tablet) Active Ingredient 30.0 mg Starch 45.0 mg Microcrystalline cellulose 35.0 mg Polyvinylpyrrolidone (as 10% solution in sterile water) 4.0 mg Sodium carboxymethyl starch 4.5 mg Magnesium stearate 0.5 mg Talc 1.0 mg Total 120 mg

[0295] The active ingredient, starch and cellulose are passed through a No. 20 mesh U.S. sieve and mixed thoroughly. The solution of polyvinylpyrrolidone is mixed with the resultant powders, which are then passed through a 16 mesh U.S. sieve. The granules so produced are dried at 50° to 60° C. and passed through a 16 mesh U.S. sieve. The sodium carboxymethyl starch, magnesium stearate, and talc, previously passed through a No. 30 mesh U.S. sieve, are then added to the granules which, after mixing, are compressed on a tablet machine to yield tablets each weighing 120 mg.

Example 5

[0296] Capsules, each containing 40 mg of medicament are made as follows: Quantity Ingredient (mg/capsule) Active Ingredient 40.0 mg Starch 109.0 mg Magnesium stearate 1.0 mg Total 150.0 mg

[0297] The active ingredient, starch, and magnesium stearate are blended, passed through a No. 20 mesh U.S. sieve, and filled into hard gelatin capsules in 150 mg quantities.

Example 6

[0298] Suppositories, each containing 25 mg of active ingredient are made as follows: Ingredient Amount Active Ingredient 25 mg Saturated fatty acid glycerides to 2,000 mg

[0299] The active ingredient is passed through a No. 60 mesh U.S. sieve and suspended in the saturated fatty acid glycerides previously melted using the minimum heat necessary. The mixture is then poured into a suppository mold of nominal 2.0 g capacity and allowed to cool.

Example 7

[0300] Suspensions, each containing 50 mg of medicament per 5.0 mL dose are made as follows: Ingredient Amount Active Ingredient 50.0 mg Xanthan gum 4.0 mg Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (11%) Microcrystalline cellulose (89%) 50.0 mg Sucrose 1.75 g Sodium benzoate 10. mg Flavor and Color q.v. Purified water to 5.0 mL

[0301] The active ingredient, sucrose and xanthan gum are blended, passed through a No. 10 mesh U.S. sieve, and then mixed with a previously made solution of the microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose in water. The sodium benzoate, flavor, and color are diluted with some of the water and added with stirring. Sufficient water is then added to produce the required volume.

Example 8

[0302] A formulation may be prepared as follows: Quantity Ingredient (mg/capsule) Active Ingredient  15.0 mg Starch 407.0 mg Magnesium stearate  3.0 mg Total 425.0 mg

[0303] The active ingredient, starch, and magnesium stearate are blended, passed through a No. 20 mesh U.S. sieve, and filled into hard gelatin capsules in 425.0 mg quantities.

Example 9

[0304] A formulation may be prepared as follows: Ingredient Quantity Active Ingredient 5.0 mg Corn Oil 1.0 mL

[0305] Another preferred formulation employed in the methods of the present invention employs transdermal delivery devices (“patches”). Such transdermal patches may be used to provide continuous or discontinuous infusion of the compounds of the present invention in controlled amounts. The construction and use of transdermal patches for the delivery of pharmaceutical agents is well known in the art. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,252, issued June 11, 1991, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Such patches may be constructed for continuous, pulsatile, or on demand delivery of pharmaceutical agents.

[0306] Other suitable formulations for use in the present invention can be found in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, edited by E. W. Martin (Mack Publishing Company, 18th ed., 1990).

Biological Examples Example 1 M₂ Muscarinic Receptor In Vitro Binding Assay

[0307] The M₂ muscarininc receptor binding activity of compounds of the invention was tested as follows.

[0308] SF9 cell membranes containing human M₂ muscarinic receptor was obtained from NEN (Boston, Mass.). In 96-well microtiter plates, eight serial five-fold dilutions were prepared with the compound to be assayed; the highest concentration was typically 4 μM (4× the final concentration). To 100 μl of compound dilution was added 150 μL M₃ receptor membrane preparation in PBS/1.0 mM MgCl₂/pH 7.4. 50 μl of 3.2 nM 3H—N-methylscopolamine radioligand was added. The total volume in each well was then 300 μl. The filter plate was pre-blocked using 0.3% PEI for at least 15 minutes, and then washed twice with 200 μl PBS. The assay plate was incubated for 1 hour at room temperature with gentle shaking. The contents of the assay plate were then transferred to the filter plate, and washed three times using 200 μp PBS. About 40 μl of scint was added to each well and then the plate was allowed to sit at room temperature for 2 h, and then counted using a Packard Topcount NXT. Counting was typically performed for 1 minute per well using a standard protocol on a Packard top counter. The raw data was fit to a standard 4-parameter equation given below and a value of IC₅₀ obtained. Y = (a − d)/(1 + (x/c)^(b)) + d  where $\begin{matrix} {Y = {cpm}} & {a = {{total}\quad {binding}}} & {b = {slope}} \\ {c = {IC}_{50}} & {x = \lbrack{compound}\rbrack} & {d = {{nonspecific}\quad {binding}}} \end{matrix}$

[0309] Representative compounds of the invention were found to have pK_(b) values of greater than 6, and to have IC₅₀ values of less than about 50 μm.

[0310] A similar protocol was used to measure M1, M3, M4 and M5 human muscarinic receptor activity.

Example 2 Rat Heart Muscarinic Receptor in vitro Binding Assay

[0311] Tissue (rat heart) muscarininc receptor binding activity of compounds of the invention was tested as follows.

[0312] Muscarinic receptor enriched membranes were isolated from whole hearts (Pelfreeze Laboratories). Rat heart tissue was typically prepared as follows. 25 μl of ice cold buffer (20 mM HEPES, 100 mM NaCl/10 mM MgCl₂ at pH 7.5 with “Complete” protease inhibitor cocktail purchased from Boehringer Mannheim was added into an oakridge tube. To the tube was then added 2 g of rat heart (purchased from Harlan). The contents of the tube were then transferred to a wheaton glass cylinder and homogenized using a Polytron homogenizer (setting 22, 15 seconds ×2), and then transferred back to the oakridge tube, and centrifuged for 10 minutes at 1500 g. The supernatant was removed and then centrifuged for 20 minutes at 45000 g. The supernatant was removed and the pellet resuspended in 5 mL buffer and transferred to a wheaton glass cylinder. This material was then homogenized using a Potter type glass teflon homogenizer with 7-8 passes. The material was then transferred to an oakridge tube and the total volume was brought up to 25 mL. This material was then centrifuged for 20 minutes at 45000 g, and the pellet re-suspended in 2 mL buffer using 2 passes of a teflon homogenizer, and stored at −80° C. until used.

[0313] A protocol similar to that used for cloned receptor binding was used: Eight serial five-fold dilutions were prepared with the compound to be assayed; the highest concentration was typically 4 μM (4× the final concentration). To 50 μl of compound dilution in a 96-well assay plate was added an appropriate amount of rat heart membrane (usually 12.5 μl of membrane prep in 87.5 μl of 20 mM HEPES, 100 mM NaCl/10 mM MgCl₂ at pH 7.5). The amount of membrane added depends in general on the results of signal optimization, and ranges from 6.25-12.5 μl. Last, 50 μl of 2.12 nM 3H—N-methylscopolamine radioligand was added. The total volume in each well was 200 μl. The filter plate was pre-blocked using 0.3% PEI for at least 15 min., and then washed twice with 200 μl PBS. The assay plate was incubated for 1 h at room temperature with gentle shaking. The contents of the assay plate were then transferred to the filter plate, and washed three times using 200 μl PBS. About 40 μl of scint was added to each well and then the plate was allowed to sit at room temperature for 18 h, and then counted using a Packard Topcount NXT. Counting was typically performed for 1 min., per well using a standard protocol on the Packard counter. The data was fit to normal isotherms and values for inhibition constants were extracted. Representative compounds of the invention were found to have pK_(b) values of greater than 6, and to have IC₅₀ values of less than about 50 μm.

[0314] A similar procedure was used to measure muscarinic receptor binding at rat submaxillary gland, rat bladder, rat submandibular gland, guinea pig heart, guinea pig submaxillary gland, guinea pig bladder, and guinea pig submandibular gland, as well as in similar human tissues.

Example 3 Rat Bladder M₃ in vitro Binding Assay

[0315] Bladder was comprised of both M₂ and M₃ muscarinic receptors. The ratio was typically 4:1 M₂:M₃. In order to measure binding of test compounds to one of M₂ or M₃, the other was blocked with a reversible ligand that binds selectively to that receptor. The following example illustrates the procedure for M₃ bladder binding.

[0316] Membranes from rat bladder were prepared in a similar fashion to that used to isolate heart membrane above. Eight serial five-fold dilutions were prepared with the compound to be assayed in compound dilution buffer (20 mM HEPES/100 mM NaCl/10 mM MgCl₂/4 μM Methoctramine); the highest concentration was typically 4 μM (4× the final concentration). The concentration of methoctramine was sufficient to block >99% of the M2 receptor in bladder, but less than 40% of the M₃ receptor in bladder. To 50 μl of compound dilution in a 96-well assay plate was added an appropriate amount of rat heart membrane (usually 25 μl of membrane prep in 75 μl of 20 mM HEPES, 100 mM NaCl/10 mM MgCl₂ at pH 7.5). The amount of membrane added depended in general on the results of signal optimization, and ranged from 12.5-25. Last, 50 μl of 2.12 nM 3H—N-methylscopolamine radioligand in compound dilution buffer was added. The total volume in each well was 200 μl. The final concentration of methoctramine was 2 μM. The filter plate was pre-blocked using 0.3% PEI for at least 15 mins., and then washed twice with 200 μl PBS. The assay plate was incubated for 1 hour at room temperature with gentle shaking. The contents of the assay plate was then transferred to the filter plate, and washed three times using 200 μl PBS. About 40 μl of scint was added to each well, the plate was allowed to sit at room temperature for 18 h, and then counted using a Packard Topcount NXT. Counting was typically performed for 1 minute per well using a standard protocol on the Packard counter. The data was fit to normal isotherms and values for inhibition constants were extracted. Representative compounds of the invention were found to have IC₅₀ values of less than about 500 μm.

[0317] A similar procedure was used to measure binding at bladder M₂, but in this case, 2 μM Darifenacin was used to block >99% of the M₂ receptor, but minimal M₃ receptor.

Example 4 Ex Vivo Rat Bladder Contraction Assay

[0318] The ability of the test compound to inhibit cholinergically stimulated bladder contraction was tested as follows.

[0319] Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250-300 g are killed by CO₂ overdose. The bladder was removed and placed in a petri dish containing Krebs-Henseleit solution at room temperature. The apex and dome areas of the bladder were discarded and the remaining tissue cut into longitudinal strips (4 from each rat). The strips were mounted in an organ bath containing Krebs-Henseleit solution at 37° C., under a resting tension of 0.5 g. The tissues were allowed to equilibrate for 60 min., (washes at 0, 30 and 60 min.). Tension was readjusted to 1 g as necessary. A cumulative concentration response curve to carbachol (10-8 M to 10-5 M (e.g.) in 3-fold increments) was constructed in each tissue. Tissues were then washed every 5 min., for 30 min., and tension readjusted to 1 g. After additional 30 min., muscarinic antagonist (typically 1×10−7 M) or vehicle was added. Thirty minutes after antagonist or vehicle addition, a cumulative concentration response curve to carbachol (10-8M to 10-3M (e.g.)) was constructed. Data from each concentration response curve was expressed as a percentage of the maximum contraction to carbachol. The EC₅₀ values were calculated. The concentration-ratios were calculated taking into account any spontaneous shift in the control tissue. For competitive antagonists, the pKb value was calculated using the following equation: ${pKb} = \frac{- {\log \quad\left\lbrack \text{antagonist concentration} \right\rbrack}}{{CR} - 1}$

[0320] Representative compounds of the invention were found to have pK_(b) values of greater than 5.

Example 5 In Vivo Rat Salivation Assay

[0321] Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250-300 g were anesthetized with pentobarbital (60 mg/kg i.p.). Rats were placed on a heated blanket under a 20 degree incline. A swab was placed in the rat's mouth. Muscarinic antagonist or vehicle was administered i.v. via the tail vein. After 5 min., oxotremorine (0.3 mg/kg) was administered s.c. The swab was discarded and replaced by a pre-weighed swab. Saliva was then collected for 15 min. After 15 min., the swab was weighed and the difference in its weight was used to calculate the antisecretory potency of the antagonists. The data was fit to normal isotherms and ID₅₀ values were extracted.

Example 6 In Vivo Bladder Assay

[0322] Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250-300 g were anesthetized with urethane (1.3 g/kg, i.p.), inactin (25 mg/kg, i.p.), and xylazine (4 mg, i.p.). The jugular (or femoral) vein was isolated and ligated and a small incision was made in the vein distal to the ligation. A catheter (micro-Renathane tubing (0.014 mm ID×0.033 mm OD) filled with saline was inserted into the vein and secured into place with suture thread. The trachea was isolated and placed in a small hole between two of the rings. Tubing (1.57 mm ID×2.08 mm OD) was inserted into the trachea and tied into place with suture thread. The incision was closed leaving the tubing exposed. The tracheotomy was to prevent the animal from asphyxiating on his own saliva following oxotremorine administration. The stomach was shaved and then cleaned with ethanol. A midline sagital incision was made in the skin and muscle layers of the lower stomach. The bladder was exposed and the saline filled cannula (22-gauge needle attached to a pressure transducer with PE 90 tubing) was inserted into the apex of the bladder to the most distal part of the bladder. The bladder was placed back into the peritoneal cavity. The bladder was emptied manually by disconnecting the cannula and allowing the contents to flow out until the bladder was approximately 1 cm in diameter. The incision was closed with suture thread, first the muscle layer, then the skin in order to keep the bladder moist and warm. The exposed portion of the cannula to the skin surface was sutured to hold it in place. After 15 min. oxotremorine (0.3 mg/kg, SC, baseweight) was injected. After 10 min., (or until baseline stabilized) a test compound or a reference standard was injected with a dose equivalent to 0.005-0.01 mg/kg, IV, baseweight of atropine that produced a 30-70% decrease in intraluminal pressure. After 5 min., a high dose of atropine 0.1 mg/kg was injected, i.v., to establish the true 100% inhibition point.

[0323] For data analysis, the oxotremorine response (zero inhibition) was determined by measuring the mean pressure 1 minute prior to the antagonist injection. Then, to assess antagonist inhibition, mean pressure was mesured beginning at 1 minute and ending 2 minutes after antagonist administration. If the pressure had not leveled off after 1 minute, a wait was initiated until it was stable and then a 1-minute sample of the mean was taken. Lastly, to determine the true 100% inhibition point, the mean pressure was measured beginning 1 minutes and ending 2 minutes after the high dose atropine challenge. The percent inhibition by the antagonist can be determined by the ratio of the decrease from the zero to 100% values.

[0324] The formula is:

oxotremorine mean−treatment mean*100oxotremorine mean−atropine mean.

[0325] Additionally, the activity of a compound of the invention on other tissues can be determined using screening protocols that are known in the art. For example, an assessment of increased locomotor activity (assay for CNS penetration) can be carried out as described by Sipos ML, et al., (1999) Psychopharmacology 147(3): 250-256; an assessment of the effects of a compound on gastrointestinal motility can be carried out as described by Macht D I, and Barba-Gose J (1931) J Am Pharm Assoc 20:558-564; an assessment of the effects of a compound on pupil diameter (mydriasis) can be carried out as described by Parry M, Heathcote B V (1982) Life Sci 31:1465-1471; and an assessment of a compounds effects on urinary bladder in dog can be carried out as described by Newgreen D T, et al. (1996) J Urol 155:600A.

[0326] Preferred compounds of the invention may display selectivity for one or more tissues over other tissues. For example, compounds of the invention that are useful for treating urinary incontinence may show higher activity in the assay of Example 6 than in the assay of Example 5.

[0327] Preferred compounds useful for treating urinary incontinence and irritable bowel syndrome have greater antagonist activity at the M₂ receptor than at the M₃ receptor or the other muscarinic receptors.

[0328] Preferred compounds useful for treating unwanted salivation have greater antagonist activity at the M₃ receptor than at the M₂ receptor or the other muscarinic receptors.

[0329] The foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example, for purposes of clarity and understanding. It will be obvious to one of skill in the art that changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, it is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the following appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

[0330] All patents, patent applications and publications cited in this application are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes to the same extent as if each individual patent, patent application or publication were so individually denoted. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A compound of Formula (I): L₁—X—L₂  (I) wherein: L₁ is a group of formula (a):

wherein: A is an aryl or a heteroaryl ring; B″ is —O—; R^(x) is alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, acyl, acylamino, aminoacyloxy, aryl, carboxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substitutes cycloalkenyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, alkylsulfonyl, or alkylsulfinyl; R¹ is hydrogen or alkyl; R² is Het, or is selected from a group consisting of formula (i), (ii), and (iii):

wherein: ----- is an optional double bond; n₁ is an integer of from 1 to 4; n₂ is an integer of from 1 to 3; V is —CH—, —O—, —S(O)n₃— (where n₃ is an integer of from 0 to 2), or —NR⁴— (wherein R⁴ is hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl); “Het” is a heteroaryl ring which optionally attaches (a) to a linker; R³ is hydrogen, alkyl, halo, amino, substituted amino, —OR^(a) (where R^(a) is hydrogen, alkyl, or acyl), or a covalent bond attaching (a) to a linker; R⁵ is hydrogen, alkyl, halo, amino, substituted amino, —OR^(b) (where R^(b) is hydrogen or alkyl), aryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, or a covalent bond attaching (a) to a linker; R⁶, R⁷, and R⁸ are, independently of each other, hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkyl optionally substituted with one, two or three substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylthio, alkylsulfonyl, amino, substituted amino, or a covalent bond attaching (a) to a linker; K is a bond or an alkylene group; K″ is a bond, —C(O)—, —S(O)_(n4)— (where n₄ is an integer of from 0 to 2), or an alkylene group optionally substituted with a hydroxyl group; and B is heterocycloamino or heteroarylamino, which optionally attaches (a) to a linker; provided that at least one of the R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, “Het”, heterocycloamino or heteroarylamino groups attaches (a) to a linker; X is a linker; and L₂ is an organic group comprising at least one primary, secondary or tertiary amine; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt; or prodrug thereof.
 2. The compound of claim 1 wherein L₂ is a group selected from a group consisting of: (i) a group of formula (b):

wherein: D″ is alkylene; D is —NR³¹R³², —N⁺(R³³R³⁴R³⁵) or —OR³² where R³¹, R³³, and R³⁴ are, independently of each other, hydrogen, alkyl, or aralkyl; and R³² and R³⁵ represent a covalent bond attaching (b) to a linker; R²⁷ is hydrogen, halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, alkoxy, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, acyl, thio, alkylthio, alkylsulfonyl, alkylsulfinyl, sulfonamido, alkylsulfonamido, carbamoyl, thiocarbamoyl, mono or dialkylcarbamoyl, amino, mono- or dialkylamino, aryl, aryloxy, arylthio, heteroaryl, heteraryloxy, heteroarylthio, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyloxy, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, or alkyl optionally substituted with one, two or three substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylthio, alkylsulfonyl, amino, or substituted amino; R²⁸ is hydrogen, halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, alkoxy, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, acyl, thio, alkylthio, alkylsulfonyl, alkylsulfinyl, sulfonamido, alkylsulfonamido, carbamoyl, thiocarbamoyl, mono or dialkylcarbamoyl, amino, mono- or dialkylamino, or alkyl optionally substituted with one, two, or three substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylthio, alkylsulfonyl, amino, or substituted amino; R²⁹ and R³⁰ are, independently of each other, hydrogen, alkyl, haloalkyl, halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkoxycarbonyl, acyl, thio, alkylthio, amino, mono- or dialkylamino; or one of R²⁷, R²⁸, R²⁹, or R³⁰ together with the adjacent group forms a methylenedioxy or ethylenedioxy group; (ii) a group of formula (c):

wherein: n₁₁ is an integer of from 1 to 7; n₁₂is 0 to 7; F is —NR⁴⁰—, —O—, —S—, or —CHR⁴¹— (wherein R⁴⁰ and R⁴¹ are, independently of each other, hydrogen, alkyl, or substituted alkyl); F″ is a covalent bond, —OR⁴³, —NR⁴²R⁴³, or —N⁺R⁴³R⁴⁴R⁴⁵ wherein R⁴² is hydrogen or alkyl, R⁴⁴ and R⁴⁵ are alkyl, and R⁴³ is hydrogen, alkyl, or a covalent bond attaching (c) to a linker; R³⁶ is hydrogen, alkyl, halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, alkoxy, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, acyl, thio, alkylthio, alkylsulfonyl, alkylsulfinyl, sulfonamido, alkylsulfonamido, carbamoyl, thiocarbamoyl, mono or dialkylcarbamoyl, amino, mono- or dialkylamino, aryl, aryloxy, arylthio, heteroaryl, heteraryloxy, heteroarylthio, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyloxy, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, or alkyl optionally substituted with one, two or three substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylthio, alkylsulfonyl, amino, or substituted amino; R³⁷ is hydrogen, alkyl, halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkoxycarbonyl, acyl, thio, alkylthio, amino, mono- or dialkylamino, aryl, aryloxy, arylthio, heteroaryl, heteraryloxy, heteroarylthio, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyloxy, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, or alkyl optionally substituted with one, two or three substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylthio, alkylsulfonyl, amino, or substituted amino; and R³⁸ is hydrogen, alkyl, halo, hydroxy, alkoxy, or a covalent bond attaching the ligand to a linker provided that at least one of R³⁸ and R⁴³ attaches (c) to a linker; R³⁹ is hydrogen, alkyl, halo, hydroxy, alkoxy, or substituted alkyl; and (iii) a group of formula (d) or (e):

wherein: R⁴⁶ is alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, or heterocycle; R⁴⁷ is alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, acyl, heterocycle, or —COOR⁵⁰ where R⁵⁰ is alkyl; or R⁴⁶ and R⁴⁷ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form heterocycle, which heterocycle, in addition to optionally bearing the optional substituents defined hereinbelow for a heterocycle, can also optionally be substituted with one or more (e.g. 1, 2, 3, or 4) alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, or substituted alkynyl. R⁴⁸ is a covalent bond that attaches the (d) to a linker; and R⁴⁹ is alkyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt; or prodrug thereof.
 3. The compound of claim 1 or 2 wherein A is phenyl or pyridyl.
 4. The compound of claim 1 or 2 wherein R¹ is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl.
 5. The compound of claim 1 or 2 wherein R² is pyrrolyl, pyridinyl, or imidazolyl.
 6. The compound of claim 1 or 2 wherein R² is phenyl.
 7. The compound of claim 1 or 2 wherein K is a bond or a methylene group.
 8. The compound of claim 1 or 2 wherein K″ is a bond.
 9. The compound of claim 1 or 2 wherein R^(x) is alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl, each optionally substituted with 1 to 5 alkoxy or fluoro substituents.
 10. The compound of claim 1 or 2 wherein R^(x) is (C₁-C₆)alkyl, (C₂-C₆)alkenyl, (C₂-C₆)alkynyl, each optionally substituted with 1 to 3 methoxy, ethoxy or fluoro substituents.
 11. The compound of claim 1 or 2 wherein R^(x) is (C₁-C₆)alkyl optionally substituted with 1 to 3 methoxy, ethoxy, or fluoro substituents.
 12. The compound of claim 1 wherein R^(x) is methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl or secbutyl, optionally substituted with methoxy or ethoxy or with 1 to 3 or fluoro substituents.
 13. The compound of claim 1 wherein R^(x) is methyl, ethyl, methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, methoxyethyl, ethoxyethyl, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxymethyl, formyl, or acetyl.
 14. The compound of claim 1 or 2 wherein R^(x) is methyl, ethyl, methoxymethyl, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, or trifluoromethyl.
 15. The compound of claim 1 or 2 wherein B is a heterocycloamino group which attaches (a) to a linker.
 16. The compound of claim 1 or 2 wherein B is pyrrolidine, piperidine, or hexahydroazepine attaching (a) to a linker.
 17. The compound of claim 1 or 2 wherein B is piperidine wherein the nitrogen atom of said piperidine attaches (a) to a linker.
 18. The compound of claim 1 or 2 wherein B is piperidin-3-yl or piperidin-4-yl wherein the nitrogen at the 1 position optionally attaches (a) to a linker.
 19. The compound of claim 1 wherein B taken together with R^(x) is 4-methylpiperidine-1,4-diyl.
 20. The compound of claim 2 wherein L₂ is a group of formula (d) or (e).
 21. The compound of claim 20 wherein: R⁴⁶ is alkyl or substituted alkyl; R⁴⁷ is alkyl, substituted alkyl, or heterocycle; or R⁴⁶ and R⁴⁷ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form heterocycle.
 22. The compound of claim 1 or 2 wherein L₂ has any one of the formula A1-A590 shown hereinabove.
 23. The compound of claim 1 or 2 wherein L₁ is:


24. The compound of claim 23 wherein L₁ is:


25. The compound of claim 24 wherein the piperidino nitrogen of L₁ is bonded to X.
 26. The compound of claim 1 or 2 wherein X is alkylene optionally substituted with one, two, or three hydroxy groups, alkylene wherein one, two or three carbon atoms have been replaced by an oxygen atom, -alkylene-phenylene-alkylene- wherein the phenylene ring is optionally substituted with one or two chloro or fluoro groups.
 27. The compound of claim 1 or 2 wherein X is a group of formula: —X¹—Z—(Y^(a)—Z)_(m)—Y^(b)—Z—Z^(a)— wherein m is an integer of from 0 to 20; X^(a) at each separate occurrence is selected from the group consisting of —O—, —S—, —NR—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —C(O)NR—, —C(S)—, —C(S)O—, —C(S)NR— or a covalent bond where R is as defined below; Z at each separate occurrence is selected from the group consisting of alkylene, substituted alkylene, cycloalkylene, substituted cylcoalkylene, alkenylene, substituted alkenylene, alkynylene, substituted alkynylene, cycloalkenylene, substituted cycloalkenylene, arylene, heteroarylene, heterocyclene, or a covalent bond; Y^(a) and Y^(b) at each separate occurrence are selected from the group consisting of —O—, —C(O)—, —OC(O)—, —C(O)O—, —NR—, —S(O)_(n)—, —C(O)NR′—, —NR′C(O)—, —NR′C(O)NR′—, —NR′C(S)NR′—, —C(═NR′)—NR′—, —NR′—C(═NR′)—, —OC(O)—NR′—, —NR′—C(O)—O—, —N═C(X^(a))—NR′—, —NR′C(X^(a))═N—, —P(O)(OR′)—O—, —O—P(O)(OR′)—, —S(O)_(n)CR′R″—, —S(O)_(n)—NR′—, —NR′—S(O)—, —S—S—, and a covalent bond; where n is 0, 1 or 2; and R, R′ and R″ at each separate occurrence are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl and heterocyclic; provided at least one of X^(a), Y^(a), Y^(b) or Z is not a covalent bond.
 28. The compound of claim 1 or 2 wherein X is an alkylene group having from 3 to 20 carbon atoms; wherein one or more carbon atoms in the alkylene group is optionally replaced with —O—; and wherein the chain is optionally substituted on carbon with one or more hydroxyl.
 29. The compound of claim 1 or 2 wherein X is nonane-1,9-diyl, octane-1,8-diyl, propane-1,3-diyl, 2-hydroxypropane-1,3-diyl, or 5-oxa-nonane-1,9-diyl.
 30. The compound of claim 1 or 2 wherein X has the following formula:

wherein the phenyl ring is optionally substituted with 1, 2, or 3 fluoro groups.
 31. The compound of claim 1 or 2 wherein X has one of the following the formula:


32. The compound of claim 2 which is a compound of Formula (Ia):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof.
 33. The compound of claim 1 or 2 wherein L₂ is a group of formula A234, A363, A364, A153, A28, A324, A329, A562, A87, or A239 as described herein.
 34. The compound of claim 1 which is a compound of formula (III):

wherein R², K″, A, K, R¹, X, and L₂ have the values defined in claim 1; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof.
 35. The compound of claim 34 wherein X is a group of formula: —X^(a)—Z—(Y^(a)—Z)_(m)—Y^(b)—Z—X^(a)— wherein m is an integer of from 0 to 20; X^(a) at each separate occurrence is selected from the group consisting of —O—, —S—, —NR—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —C(O)NR—, —C(S)—, —C(S)O—, —C(S)NR— or a covalent bond where R is as defined below; Z at each separate occurrence is selected from the group consisting of alkylene, substituted alkylene, cycloalkylene, substituted cylcoalkylene, alkenylene, substituted alkenylene, alkynylene, substituted alkynylene, cycloalkenylene, substituted cycloalkenylene, arylene, heteroarylene, heterocyclene, or a covalent bond; Y^(a) and Y^(b) at each separate occurrence are selected from the group consisting of —O—, —C(O)—, —OC(O)—, —C(O)O—, —NR—, —S(O)_(n)—, —C(O)NR′—, —NR′C(O)—, —NR′C(O)NR′—, —NR′C(S)NR′—, —C(═NR′)—NR′—, —NR′—C(═NR′)—, —OC(O)—NR′—, —NR′—C(O)—O—, —N═C(X^(a))—NR′—, —NR′—C(X^(a))═N—, —P(O)(OR′)—O—, —O—P(O)(OR′)—, —S(O)_(n)CR′R″—, —S(O)_(n)—NR′—, —NR′—S(O)_(n)—, —S—S—, and a covalent bond; where n is 0, 1 or 2; and R, R′ and R″ at each separate occurrence are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl and heterocyclic; provided at least one of X^(a), Y^(a), Y^(b) or Z is not a covalent bond.
 36. The compound of claim 34 wherein X is an alkylene group having from 3 to 20 carbon atoms; wherein one or more carbon atoms in the alkylene group is optionally replaced with —O—; and wherein the chain is optionally substituted on carbon with one or more hydroxyl.
 37. The compound of claim 34 wherein X is nonane-1,9-diyl, octane-1,8-diyl, propane-1,3-diyl, 2-hydroxypropane-1,3-diyl, or 5-oxa-nonane-1,9-diyl.
 38. The compound of claim 34 wherein X has the following formula:

wherein the phenyl ring is optionally substituted with 1, 2, or 3 fluoro groups.
 39. The compound of claim 34 wherein X has one of the following the formula:


40. The compound of claim 2 wherein L₂ is a group of formula (d) wherein R⁴⁶ is a heterocycle, optionally substituted with 1 to 5 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, and substituted alkynyl; and R⁴⁷ is alkyl, substituted alkyl, acyl, or —COOR⁵⁰.
 41. The compound of claim 2 wherein wherein L₂ is a group of formula (d) wherein R⁴⁶ is alkyl that is optionally substituted with from 1 to 5 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, aminoacyl, aminoacyloxy, oxyaminoacyl, cyano, halogen, hydroxyl, keto, thioketo, carboxylalkyl, thioaryloxy, thioheteroaryloxy, thioheterocyclooxy, thiol, thioalkoxy, substituted thioalkoxy, heterocyclic, heterocyclooxy, hydroxyamino, alkoxyamino, NR^(a)R^(b), wherein R^(a) and R^(b) may be the same or different and are chosen from hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, and heterocyclic.
 42. The compound of claim 2 wherein L₂ is a group of formula (d) wherein R⁴⁶ is 3-piperidinyl, 4-piperidinyl, or 3-pyrrolidinyl, which R⁴⁶ is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, substituted amino, aminoacyl, aminoacyloxy, oxyaminoacyl, cyano, halogen, hydroxyl, keto, thioketo, carboxylalkyl, thioaryloxy, thioheteroaryloxy, thioheterocyclooxy, thiol, thioalkoxy, substituted thioalkoxy, heterocyclic, heterocyclooxy, hydroxyamino, alkoxyamino, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, and substituted alkynyl.
 43. The compound of claim 2 wherein R⁴⁶ and R⁴⁷ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a piperidine or pyrrolidine ring which ring is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, substituted amino, aminoacyl, aminoacyloxy, oxyaminoacyl, cyano, halogen, hydroxyl, keto, thioketo, carboxylalkyl, thioaryloxy, thioheteroaryloxy, thioheterocyclooxy, thiol, thioalkoxy, substituted thioalkoxy, heterocyclic, heterocyclooxy, hydroxyamino, alkoxyamino, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, and substituted alkynyl.
 44. The compound of claim 2 wherein R⁴⁶ and R⁴⁷ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a heterocycle that is an aza-crown ether.
 45. The compound of claim 44 wherein the aza-crown ether is 1-aza-12-crown-4, 1-aza-15-crown-5, or 1-aza-18-crown-6.
 46. Compound number 1-146 as described in Table A and Table B herein; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof.
 47. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a compound of claim 1 or
 2. 48. A method of treating a disease mediated by a muscarinic receptor in a mammal, comprising administering to said mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of claim 1 or
 2. 49. The method of claim 48 wherein the disease is urinary incontinence chronic pulmonary obstructive disease, asthma, hyper salivation a cognitive disorder, blurred vision, or irritable bowel syndrome.
 50. A compound of formula L₁—H wherein L₁, has the values defined in claim 1; or a salt thereof.
 51. The compound of claim 50 which is a compound of formula (V):

or a salt thereof.
 52. A compound of formula R_(a)—X—L₂ wherein X, and L₂ have the values defined in claim 2; and R_(a) is a suitable leaving group. 